Be aware of the countryside code and keep your dog under control.
We all love to take our dogs for a walk in the countryside, as on a fine sunny day, there is nothing
more enjoyable for dogs and their owners to have a leisurely walk.
Dogs enjoy a run off lead and owners love to see their dogs running around sniffing, chasing a ball or
Frisbee and just generally having fun and using up some of that physical energy.
However, are you aware of the countryside code? I was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Kent
regarding the alarming number of dogs that are causing stress to farmers and the shocking results
that a dog can make to a farmer’s livelihood regarding his livestock.
When you take your dog for a walk in the countryside be aware of the local byelaws, local signs –
there maybe a restriction at certain times of the year (for example some areas of land may have
nesting birds at certain times of the year, so your dog may not be able to swim in ponds/lakes/rivers
during this time).
More importantly many dogs and owners will come across grazing sheep and there is a strong
instinct for your dog to chase, it is advisable to put your dog on the lead, even if you have an
obedient dog.
If your dog chases a sheep or flock, they can cause serious damage through stress of worrying the
sheep and this can result in the sheep dying or pregnant ewes to miscarry. A panicked sheep can try
and escape and can be killed in the process, not to mention damage to fencing or boundaries.
Lambs can be separated from their mothers and can either die from starvation or through
hypothermia and sheep can die or have to be put down due to dog bites.
It is an offence to allow your dog to worry sheep – this means not just chasing but attacking and
farmers can by law shoot a dog if the dog endangers their sheep.
There have been moves to look at DNA testing for dogs so that they can match the related dog to
the incident. However, if we all just take steps to remember that when near livestock (even if there
is a fence between you and sheep) clip your dog on the lead and walk calmly through the field. Keep
to the paths and areas when you as a walk/dog owner have a right of access – again a dog on a lead
is safer while you cross the field than a dog off lead.
Remember we can all enjoy days out with dog(s) following these simple rules.
For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code