Kingussie farmer lost thousands of pounds after dozens of sheep were savaged
Dozens of sheep were savaged and killed by three huskies which had escaped from a secure compound after its gate was left accidentally open.
The horrific incident came just a week before the livestock were due to go to market and expected to make £125 per animal. In total, the owner lost £8,900.
But Inverness Sheriff Court was told that 57 year old John Craig of Ruthven Road, Kingussie was repaying the shepherd at £400 a month and £6,400 had already been handed over, his solicitor, WillieYoung said.
Craig appeared before Sheriff Ian Cruickshank and admitted failing to keep his dogs under control on September 12, 2022 after they attacked and killed the sheep on agricultural land at the rear of Market Lane in the village.
The court heard it was the second similar conviction for Craig who was fined £890.
As he was making restitution for the loss, Sheriff Crucikshank decided against imposing a compensation order.
The court was told that there were around 70 sheep in the field and were killed there or chased by the dogs into the nearby river.
Craig had been alerted to the dogs' escape by witnesses who also called the police. He retrieved the animals and then had them rehomed.
He told police: "The kids never shut the door properly. They got out overnight. Just gutted. It's all down to me."
Mr Young said his client had owned the dogs for seven years and he was admonished for the previous offence.
"Following that he constructed a secure compound. But his daughter had several friends for a sleepover. Some of them were using a caravan in the compound and one of the girls went back there to retrieve her mobile phone. She left the gate insecure."
