There are few past times more enjoyable for dog owners than a walk with their dog in the beautiful British countryside. However Dogs Trust would like to remind dog owners to be cautious and keep their dogs under close control to ensure they do not worry livestock or stray onto neighbouring land. It is a criminal offence to allow a dog to chase or attack livestock on agricultural land and the dog only needs to be in a field with sheep to legally constitute an offence of worrying. By law, farmers are permitted to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals so prevention is key to ensure both animals remain safe.
Dogs Trust believes that shooting an intruding dog is a distressing event with devastating consequences for the owner. We would urge anyone who experiences a straying dog to speak with the owner and find a humane solution. However to avoid such a distressing outcome Dogs Trust offer advice for dog owners walking in the countryside:
• Always keep your dog on a lead and away from livestock
• Take extra care during lambing/ calving season (particularly January – April) to minimize the risk of disturbing farm animals
• Make sure your home and garden is secure at all times when your dog is unsupervised so that he does not stray and worry neighbouring livestock
• Make sure your dog is well trained and obedient to your commands
• As a general rule, keep your dog on a lead on public paths if you cannot rely on its obedience.
• By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals. You must keep your dog on a short lead (Extendible leads are not ideal) in most areas of open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July and at all times near farm animals on agricultural land.
• Be careful of situations where you may unintentionally be 'herding' cattle or sheep into a confined space where their only means of escape is to charge towards you
• Leave all gates as you found them.
• If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – the dog is likely to out run you to safety so don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.
• Do not pass between a cow or sheep and it’s young as they may act more aggressively whilst protecting their young