Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has expressed his concerns at the “shocking” number of animal incidents reported to the police – totalling 1,096 in just three years in Perth and Kinross.
Police Scotland confirmed that animal incidents include those where an animal was either stolen, missing, injured, or where an animal has been neglected, locked in a vehicle, been mistreated and includes incidents of sheep worrying, animals on the road, a vehicle has hit an animal or been bitten or attacked.
Data provided to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information reveal that there were 394 animal incidents in Perth and Kinross in 2021, 338 in 2022 and 364 this year up to October 31. Of these, there were 489 dog/puppy incidents; 195 sheep/lamb/ewe/ram incidents; 157 deer/fawn incidents; 62 cow/bull/calf incidents; 28 horse incidents and 18 bird incidents, which include buzzards, owls, peacocks and seagulls.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I am utterly shocked and appalled at the number of these animal incidents that have taken place in Perth and Kinross. To have a total of 1,096 such incidents in three years is very concerning indeed.
“I find any form of animal cruelty or attacks on animals to be abhorrent and feel they must be condemned. Many of the animals that were attached in these figures were farm animals and this appears to be part of a growing trend among some of the criminal fraternity. There is no place in our society for such cruel behaviour and we must do all in our powers to bring those responsible to justice.”
Mr Fraser: “I was also very alarmed to see the diversity of animals that were attached in the region, including horses, puppy dogs, kittens and an array of birds, including buzzards and owls. Hurting or neglecting any animal is a despicable crime and I’m sure residents in Perth and Kinross will share my concern that these incidents show no sign of decreasing.”
