AS THE proud owner of two dogs, I have noticed during lockdown that many other people have taken the opportunity to introduce a new four-legged friend to the home.

As the weather improves and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful coastal and rural parts of East Lothian increases, I would like to highlight the Livestock Attack and Distress Campaign launched by SPARC, the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, on January 11.

This campaign, carrying the slogan ‘Your Dog – Your Responsibility’, seeks to highlight changes brought by new legislation which protects animals from dog attacks through a range of measures, including updating the livestock definition, fines up to £40,000 and prison sentences for owners who let their pets worry, kill or injure farmed animals.

Under the new legislation, camelids such as llamas and alpacas, together with ostriches, game birds and farmed deer, are now protected.

Please ensure you keep your dog in sight, on a lead or under close control when you are near animals or in open country where animals may not always be immediately visible.

The other issue I would like to raise this week is domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is not just physical, it can also take the form of psychological and emotional harm, controlling behaviour, coercive behaviour and financial abuse.

On average, Police Scotland are called to attend an incident of domestic abuse every nine minutes.

READ MORE: Chief Inspector Jocelyn O'Connor column: Youth incidents in Prestonpans

Officers in East Lothian attended about 99 domestic-related incidents between January 1 and 31 this year alone.

Domestic abuse is everybody’s business. If you have concerns about your partner or the partner of someone you know, please report it as you may save a life.

Reporting concerns is confidential and the person at risk will never be told who reported it.

You can contact the police about your concerns by:

  • Calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) and speaking to us directly;
  • Using our Contact Us online form for reporting incidents (not to be used in an emergency);
  • Using the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS).

If you’re not comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to any of our partner organisations (details on our internet site) who can provide practical and/or emotional support, including advice about reporting it to police.