Highland man banned from keeping dogs after sheep die during rampage near school

HIGHLAND MAN BANNED FROM KEEPING DOGS AFTER SHEEP DIE DURING RAMPAGE NEAR SCHOOL

A man has been fined and banned from keeping dogs for five years after his Labrador-Rottweiler cross dogs caused concern near Hilton of Cadboll Primary School.

The dogs were not on a lead or under close control when they targeted sheep on land at Balintore Farms, injuring some and resulting in their death.

The incident, which took place between October 29 and November 6 last year, led residents to fear for safety, with the school stopping children from using certain parts of the playground and holding break times in a fenced area.

Local football training was canceled for safety reasons.

Alexander Rodgerson, 34, appeared at Tain Sheriff Court and admitted a single charge under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

The court was told the incident was not intentional, with his solicitor stating that her client wanted to make clear it was not deliberate.

She explained that there was fence damage and that the dogs had previously gotten out of a window.

Rodgerson had taken steps to rehome the dogs, which had been chipped and neutered before the incident.

Sheriff Neil Wilson noted that because this was not a one-off event, the court would be less sympathetic.

The sheriff disqualified Rodgerson from owning or having custody of a dog for five years and ordered him to pay compensation of £892.75 for vets' costs related to the incident.