25/04/2025
✨TRIGGER WARNING✨
If you don’t want to see dead livestock. Scroll away. You’ve been warned I guess. Don’t come crying in the comments because you have been warned.
We have shared The Countryside Code on here recently, and yet, daily, I’m seeing posts where dogs have killed livestock. I’ve seen videos of police footage too, where a dog got into a shed with ewes and went on a rampage. The last 10 seconds? Gunshot. That was the ONLY thing that would have stopped the dog that went on a literal rampage as the farmer could only watch in horror without risking injury to himself.
I am getting beyond frustrated at the sheer amount of sheep worrying incidents occurring, and the sheer amount of incidents where dogs have attacked horses being ridden.
As dog owners, we have a duty of care. Not only do we have to ensure our dogs safety and well being, but we have a duty of care to the general public, road users whether that’s vehicles or horses, and to other animals, wether this domestic pets or livestock and then to wildlife too.
In the UK, when out in public with your dogs, your dog should be on a lead. It should be under close control meaning on a lead when in public.
And if you’re using an “extendable lead” please for the love of your dog, keep it LOCKED. Better yet just use a normal lead and keep the monstrosity of the extendable for open areas where there isn’t traffic because I’ve lost count of the times I have almost hit a dog because it jumped into the road on an extendable lead.
If you put your dog into your garden and just ignore the fact it’s out there, please don’t. Watch your dog. I don’t care how good you think your fences are, because I guarantee they’re not as sturdy and safe as you would think. It takes one weak spot, a rotten post/board and your dog will find it and will escape.
As farmers we are constantly checking the integrity of our boundary fences when stock is in a field. Why? Due diligence. If our stock breaks out and causes a RTC that’s us liable.
It takes a split second for something to happen and you may think it would never happen to you, but it can and will. Check your fences, regularly. And if your dog does get out, and you weren’t watching it but your phone instead? Watch your dogs when out in your own property, so if they do get out, you can retrieve them without causing unnecessary suffering to them or other animals.
If your dog doesn’t have recall, keep it on a lead. Don’t see an open empty field and think “perfect time for my perfect Angel to have a run!!” There are dog sized holes in hedges and if you can’t see into other fields don’t risk your dog or other animals because you think it’s safe to do so.
There are designated “dog safe” and secure fields all over the place to allow for your dog to exercise safely. Yes they cost money. Want to know what else costs money? Paying farmers for damages and losses because your dog killed their livestock. The minimal fee of a safe secure location for your dog to exercise safely is much cheaper than paying for dead stock, vet fees, the cremation of your beloved dog.
Training your dog to have recall and if unable to, just keep it on a lead. Dogs are still animals at the end of the day and they will act on instinct which can’t just be “loved” out of them.
Most dogs are not used to horses, if you’re in an area where horses being ridden frequent keep your dog on a lead, it’s not rocket science. One swift kick from a horse can kill your dog. They are fight or flight animals and if your dog goes for the horse, you are putting another human in danger because if that horse opts for flight because it’s scared it’s going to bolt. If the horse chooses to fight? Your dog is at risk of being killed.
Fun fact; a horse kick carries approximately 8,722 newtons in force. (About 2000 pounds, or 1,200 - 2000 PSI) and horse kicks do kill. A swift hoof to the dogs head, dead dog.
Just, protect your dog and everyone else. You may think your dog is perfect and could never, but your dog is still an animal with instincts, and your dog being on a lead? Will stop accidents and sheep worrying incidents happening.
If you love your dog, love it on a lead.
With social media being so prevalent, I would have hoped people would have the common decency to protect their dogs from harm, but apparently social media and the invention of smart phones makes everyone too ignorant to actually watch their dogs when outside. Put your phone away and focus on your “best friend”.
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