Farmers lose battle with HIE for better fencing to protect sheep
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INVERNESS farmers calling on Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to "adequately" fence-off fields the agency owns adjacent to their land have lost out on their bid for help.
Kenneth and Carol Munro lodged their demand after their lambs were attacked by a dog that ran off a public footpath winding from the Inverness Campus and the Inverness Shopping Park.
They said the animal then tore through a "poorly" fenced-off barley field, which they rent from HIE.
And their flock of prize lambs were peacefully grazing in the next field when they were viciously set upon.
A dog owner has been reported by police to the procurator fiscal for possible prosecution.
And following the attack the Munros sought to make a deal with HIE.
The third-generation farmers of Ashton Farm just off the Inverness Shopping Park on the A96 Inverness-Nairn road asked the agency to pay the £400 cost of fencing materials.
In return they said they would be happy to carry out the work to make the 370m stretch "totally dog-proof".
But HIE said this fence was "not intended nor required to provide security from specific risks".
And the agency said meeting the cost of extra security fencing materials would be an improper use of public funds.
The Munros would have to foot the bill out of their own pockets.
HIE said the field was leased to the Munros with this fence in place and it was only now that the couple were making a big deal out of it and complaining that it was inadequate.
A statement from the agency said: "While we sympathise with the farmer on the matter of sheep safety, we are not able to use public funds to upgrade fencing to protect against irresponsible dog walking.
"The fence meets its purpose for arable farming and to mark the field boundary. It was in place at the time the tenant took on the lease. Any upgrading of the fence would have to be a matter for the tenant."
Retaliating, Mr Munro slammed the agency’s response as "shocking", and said he believed they had a duty to do it.
"We as tenants shouldn’t have to pay to properly fence-off a field like that. We only rent it for 10 months of the year."
He went on: "I would say they have a duty not only to our livestock but to dog walkers who use the area.
"I said that I would do the work and they’ve turned it down. It’s just shocking that."
Asked what his future plans were for the fence, Mr Munro said: "There’s nothing that I can do about the fence if they’re not prepared to pay for the cost of materials."
Reflecting on the dog attack ordeal this week, Mrs Munro said the show lambs had recovered and were "looking good".
She said: "The one that was lame is walking again.
"The dog walker has paid the £176 vet bill plus £130 compensation. She’s done what she said she would."
However, Mrs Munro fears it is only a matter of time before the next sheep-worrying incident and said she was always on her guard for dogs running across the fields.
She said: "I watched a dog walker just the other day throwing a ball and actually making the dog run into the field. I couldn’t believe it."
She said the lambs were precious, "just like pets".
"We take them to all the shows in their little halters and they’ve all got names," she said.
"It’s not just a field of sheep we’re fattening for killing."
