£5000 reward to find those poisoning dogs and buzzards

A £5000 reward for information leading to the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrator of poisonings of working dogs and buzzards in Perthshire is being offered.

Police Scotland is currently investigating a number of illegal poisoning incidents which have happened in the Perthshire area over the last seven months.

Edradynate Estate is offering the reward, as, sometime between October 2017 and April 2018, three working dogs and two buzzards have died as a result of poisoning in and around the Edradynate and Pitnacree Estates area in Highland Perthshire.

A Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Liaison Officer said: ‘The owners are understandably extremely upset at the loss of their dogs. Once again, we also find ourselves investigating the illegal killing of raptors and this is extremely disappointing.

‘The poisons which have been used in both cases, are illegal poisons and have been banned from use in the UK for many years. We have searched the areas and our investigations to date would suggest that there is not a wider threat to public safety.

‘However, all members of the public in the area are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour, especially during the hours of darkness.’

A spokesperson for Edradynate Estate said: ‘The estate is offering a £5000 reward for anyone providing information that results in the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrator of these poisonings.

‘These are appalling incidents that have affected local estates and farms.

‘We reported a number of these incidents to Police Scotland and have been working closely with them to provide help to the investigation but in spite of this, we have most recently seen the terrible death by poisoning of a sheepdog when it was most needed during the lambing period.

‘We would urge anyone with information, especially if they see anything suspicious late at night, to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible.’

Anyone with information that may assist enquiries should contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.