Plean dog owner 'devastated' after his Staffies rip flock apart and kill five sheep

Hugh Thomson (60), 3 McAulay Brae, Plean, told police he busy trying to free his vehicle from mud when the two dogs escaped from the car and ran off to “wreak havoc” among the flock of sheep.

He told them he searched all night but could not find them – in the meantime they were turning the fields into a scene from a horror film and would eventually turn up with fresh blood on their faces.

Thomson, who did not appear in person, was sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting the offence of failing to control his dogs on land at Plean Mill Farm between December 18 and December 19 last year.

Procurator fiscal depute Katie Cunningham said: “The accused had two Staffordshire bull terriers on land at the location. Both dogs had run off and some time has passed before he managed to find them.

“There were sheep on the road with extensive injuries – one was missing an ear and bleeding heavily and one sheep was found dead. The dogs were located and found to have fresh blood on their faces.

“They were secured and taken back to the farm. There were 23 sheep in total that had injuries and a total of five had been killed. When the accused was spoken in regards to the offence he was extremely apologetic.

“He said it was a complete accident – he had tried all night to find them and was devastated by what happened.”

Lynn Swan, defence solicitor, said Thomson had gone out for a walk with his partner and the dogs, but went back to the car when it started to rain.

She added: “They found their car was stuck in the mud and as Mr Thomson was trying to free the vehicle one of the doors of the vehicle had been left open and the dogs got out.

“They have then wreaked havoc.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston said the incident did sound “fairly horrendous” and the cost of damage was given as being around £3000.

The case was continued until October 8 to gather more information.