The devastating impact suffered by farmers and crofters is being highlighted in a new “sheep-wise” campaign warning the public against failing to control their dogs in the countryside.

Launched this week by the National Sheep Association of Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland, it coincides with the Easter weekend, when thousands of people and dogs venture into the great outdoors. The initiative includes a high-impact, two-minute film portraying the cruel reality of sheep worrying.

It has powerful, first-hand accounts of sheep worrying from Aberdeenshire farmer John Fyall, chairman of National Sheep Association Scotland (NSA), vet David McLaren from Stonehaven and Gill MacGregor, Scottish SPCA Senior Inspector.

Narrated by a dog lover, the film also stresses the anguish which dog owners face, along with potential criminal prosecution, if they fail to control their dogs properly in areas where people make their living from the land.

Kathy Peebles, NSA Scotland vice-chairman, said: “For farmers, as well as lost income, it is heart-breaking to witness horrendous injuries in the sheep they work hard to look after.

“For pregnant ewes, the result of being hounded by dogs can be miscarriage of unborn lambs and for ewes with young lambs at foot the result can be offspring getting separated from ewes and dying of hypothermia or starvation."

The outcome could be a vet putting a healthy dog down, she said.

Carol McLaren, Head of Communications with Quality Meat Scotland, added: “A key message of the campaign is that sheep worrying is not a dog problem, it is a dog-owner problem.

“Any dog, whatever breed, size or age, has the potential to chase sheep and cause considerable harm but the responsibility lies with owners to keep their dogs under control and out of trouble.”

Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent, also urged people to ensure their dogs are kept secure when at home as in many cases the problem is dogs that are allowed to stray from home.

“The Scottish countryside is a great place for people to enjoy with their dogs but, by failing to think and take simple steps, dog-owners run the risk of a carefree walk turning into a nightmare," he said.