A FARMER who shot and killed two pet huskies said he was trying to avoid a repeat of past "carnage" when dozens of his sheep had to be destroyed.
On Monday, the News told how dog owner Paul Gilchrist and his family were "distraught" at the loss of their dogs Czarina and Nero after they escaped and ran to Southside Farm, Gorebridge.
Mr Gilchrist is calling for a change in the law to prevent farmers from shooting dogs unless they can prove that livestock had been endangered. However, Southside Farm owner Keith Herdman (above) insisted today he had a duty to protect the sheep grazing on his fields, which belonged to another local farmer.
He said: "When I arrived one of the dogs was on top of a sheep so I was forced to shoot. I don't enjoy shooting dogs – and have kept dogs of my own in the past – but at what point do you decide an attack is taking place?
"I have a business to run. It's been tough enough recently with the foot-and-mouth restrictions without having to deal with sheep worrying.
"Around two or three years ago we had a couple of dogs repeatedly entering the fields and worrying the sheep. One morning we woke up to absolute carnage. There were sheep lying with their entrails hanging out and the ones that were still alive had to be shot."
Veterinary surgeon Kath Dun, who treats animals for both Mr Herdman and the owner of the sheep involved, said that no animals were injured by Mr Gilchrist's huskies last week. However, she confirmed that over 30 animals had to be put down after the previous incident, and defended Mr Herdman's right to protect livestock on his farm.
She said: "I'm sure these dogs were normally very friendly, family pets but having been allowed to escape and roam the countryside, which is an offence in itself, two dogs of any breed, but especially dogs of a pack nature like huskies, have the potential to become very dangerous animals."
Police said no action was being taken against either party, while Midlothian council confirmed that Mr Herdman was legally entitled to shoot the dogs.
However, Mr Gilchrist remains convinced that Mr Herdman's actions caused excessive and unnecessary suffering to his pets.
He said today: "Police did not find any wool in my dogs' mouths, and yet one was shot in the throat and left to suffer a prolonged death with two broken legs.
"Farmers should have to prove their sheep's lives were endangered before raising their guns, or at the very least be forced to ensure they finish the job as painlessly as possible."
The full article contains 453 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
