Pack of dogs terrorising Scots village with locals 'scared to leave their homes'

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A pack of "dangerous" dogs have been running riot in a Scots village leaving locals terrified.

Residents have been left scared to leave their homes and children have even been kept off school as the animals run amok in the Hilton area, in the Highlands. Locals are worried about being attacked by the three large canines and some parents have even asked the local primary school to keep their kids indoors.

It is understood the dogs have been roaming along streets in the village and intruding into gardens. Five sheep in the area have also been killed and play times at Hilton of Cadboll Primary School are currently being held in a fenced area.

Football training in the village has also been called off and the local youth club isn't hosting any outdoor activities. Resident David Skinner told the Press and Journal: "It’s unbelievable what’s happening. People can’t go out, the bairns can’t go out and a lot of them are not going to school.

"My friend is blind and is scared to walk the roads. I’ve spoken to a couple of women who’ve got grandchildren and they’re scared to walk the streets."

Two locals have been served with a dog control notice (DCN) which means they are not allowed to let their dogs out without a lead.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: "A DCN contains conditions which are aimed at ensuring the dog owner brings and keeps their dogs under control. In this case the conditions include ensuring the dogs are always on lead while being walked.

"If a dog owner is prosecuted for breaching a DCN, the court may make an order disqualifying a dog owner from owning or keeping a dog during such a period as the court thinks fit. Ultimately if a court considers that a dog is dangerous it may make an order for the dog’s destruction.”

The local authority's environmental health manager, Alan Yates, said: “I hope that the action taken helps provide some reassurance to the public that further steps have been taken in response to the sheep worrying incidents.

“The environmental health team will continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland and with the dog owners to monitor and check compliance with the DCNs.”

Chief Inspector Calum Smith, of Police Scotland’s North East division, said: “We are aware of ongoing concerns in the community regarding these dogs. Officers are liaising with a range of partners to address and resolve the situation.”

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