A KENNET man has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 to his neighbour after his dogs ran loose and killed six sheep.

Francis Quinn failed to secure his two Italian Mastiffs within his home, with the animals jumping a low wall and later entering the neighbouring field at Meadowend farm, Clackmannan.

They were able to seriously injure some of the sheep grazing there before the farmer was able to reach the scene and shoot them both.

A vet was called into assess the condition of the livestock but six had to be put to sleep due to the seriousness of their injuries.

As the registered owner of the two dogs, Quinn, 55, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to a charge of sheep worrying.

Depute fiscal Ruaridh Ferguson said: “The two dogs were seen in the field by a witness who was of the view that they were attacking the sheep.

“He quickly took action and contacted the farmer. He then attended the field with his shotgun and shot and killed both dogs.”

The two Italian Mastiffs were said to have been in the garden of Quinn’s property, penned in only by a four-foot wall which they would have jumped easily, the court heard.

Mr Ferguson then said that the accused had been quick to act when he returned home and noticed his dogs were “loose”.

The prosecutor added: “The attack was severe – and the injuries to some sheep were too severe to treat.

“Six of the sheep required to be euthanised as a result.”

The court heard that the financial implications for the farmer was an expense of £1,235, due to cost of the livestock, vet fees and, ultimately, the disposal of the animals.

Quinn’s lawyer, Alistair Dalling, said his client has since made alterations to his property with an eye to owning more dogs in the future.

He said: “Mr Quinn has been a resident in the area for 16 years and dogs have always been in his life.

“When he became aware that the dogs had escaped, he took immediate action but it was too late for the sheep and too late for the dogs.

“He fully appreciates his responsibility for what happened. He now has a six-foot fence around his garden and would like to own dogs again in the future.”

Mr Dalling informed Sheriff Richard McFarlane that Quinn was currently claiming Employment Support Allowance and, though willing to pay a financial penalty, he had “limited means” to do so.

In sentencing, the sheriff told the accused: “When you returned home from what you had been doing, you were clearly concerned about what your dogs were up to.

“From what I’ve been told, it’s clear you had an immediate concern that the farmer’s sheep might be at risk.

“However, the punishment for the offence that you have been prosecuted for is in my view not as bracing as it might have been due to financial constraints.

“The fair way forward, in balancing your interests and the public interest, is to make a compensation order for the full amount. I will otherwise admonish you.”

Quinn, of Kennet Village, was then ordered to pay back the £1,235 cost at a rate of £10 per month.