FARMERS have issued a holiday warning over the growing threat of attacks by dogs against livestock.

It comes as the summer season brings families with pets from towns and cities across the UK seeking open fields to roam in rural Scotland.

The National Farmers Union in Scotland said new figures revealed 50 attacks including 22 kills against livestock - mainly sheep and lambs - in the first four months of this year alone and has warned there are concerns as the visitor season now begins.

The figure for early 2015 is almost half of the entire total for last year but the slightly higher rate is described as a major concern for farmers across the country as awareness should be rising.

The new warning comes as a crofter and his daughter found their flock mauled in Sutherland, in an attack they blamed on a dog not on a lead.

Owners who let their animals loose in the countryside have been responsible for the deaths and injury of hundreds of Scottish livestock, farmers' representatives said.

Over the last five years, there have been more than 550 incidents of livestock worrying in Scotland.

Figures show that on average there have been around 100 cases of livestock worrying in Scotland annually, where the incidents have been reported to police.

The Highlands and Islands has consistently had the highest number of cases, a total of 139 over the last five years.

Gemma Thomson, NFU Scotland’s legal and technical policy manager, said: “Each instance leads to immediate financial loss, additional ongoing financial harm, and emotional stress at the death and suffering caused to their livestock.

“In some instances the same dogs are allowed to worry livestock on a number of occasions.

"Farmers have little recourse against perpetrators. This is one of the worst forms of irresponsible access.

"Access to the countryside is only exercisable if it is responsible, and livestock worrying is a wholly unacceptable part of that right to access. It is a serious issue, a growing one, and one which can have consequences for the dog and or owner as well as the farmer affected by it.

"We need to push for dog owners who are not exercising responsible access to change their habits. "

She added: “Better safe than sorry and we would urge dog owners to keep their animals on leads when out in the countryside, that you keep your dog out of fields with livestock, and even if you can’t see livestock in a field, exercise caution as they may be out of sight.”

In the most recent alleged case a father and his 12-year-old daughter came across a scene where a number of sheep had been mauled in an attack thought to have been by a dog.

The call comes as lamb prices have hit a five-year low.

Allan Bowie, NFU Scotland President, said: “There isn’t a sector in Scotland that the moment that isn’t toiling on market returns or costs and for the country’s 12,000 sheep keepers, it is now or never if we are to turn this season around.

“Those selling prime lambs are receiving 20 per cent less for their efforts when compared to last year and those with store lambs to sell for further finishing are just about to enter an uncertain market."