A SESSION on the importance of responsible dog walking during lambing season is set to take place in Blairadam Forest near Kelty.

Staff from Safer Communities Fife, Police Scotland and National Sheep Awareness will be working together to raise awareness on the risks to lambs and their mothers if dogs are not walked responsibly in the countryside.

Sharing the information of the event on Facebook, Safer Communities Fife wrote: "As we are into lambing season in the Fife countryside, pregnant sheep are at their most vulnerable and being chased by a dog can cause them to miscarry. Once lambs are born, just like any newborn, they need to be close to their mum, but lambs and ewes can quickly lose each other if a dog is off lead in a field where sheep with lambs are grazing."

The awareness session comes after 17 lambs were killed and four young sheep injured at Blairadam Farm last week (Monday).

In response to a comment questioning the need for this session, the Safer Communities team responded: "We appreciate many people know the importance of keeping dogs under control when walking in the countryside, but unfortunately not everyone does.

"We believe there is lots to raise awareness about, on this and wider responsible dog ownership. We are working closely with colleagues, including local farmers, and while we know we can't go back in time and change what has happened recently we are trying to prevent future incidents."

Dog owners are being encouraged to head along and chat to the teams on site in the forest tomorrow, Wednesday, April 12, from 10am to 2pm.