13/01/2025
As the weather gets warmer and spring arrives, people take to the countryside to walk their dogs. Unfortunately, an increase in incidents of ‘sheep worrying’ where dogs chase ewes, chasing them in a way that may cause injury, suffering, abortion or ‘loss of produce’ for the farmer when ewes or lambs are killed by dogs. ‘Worrying’ livestock isn’t only about chasing or attacking. For some livestock, it can be simply about knowing that a dog is nearby.
Stop, look, and listen before entering a field.
A dog is considered ‘under control’ if it is on a lead held by someone able to control the dog. For example, a large dog would not be under control if the lead was held by a child who would be unable to restrain the dog if it strained against the lead. It is not necessary for dogs to be on a lead at all times. However, dogs must be kept on a lead in designated pedestrian zones and on land where livestock is present.
Although chasing is a normal dog behaviour, whatever their breed, age or size, a pet guardian must keep their dogs under control, in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep, goats, pigs, cows, horses, donkeys and the exotic llamas and alpacas too.
The Rural Engagement Team will be asking anyone who walks their dogs in the countryside to keep their pets on leads near livestock. Attacks on livestock across the country can be caused by dogs being walked off-lead or which have escaped from insecure gardens at properties, neighbouring farms and smallholdings.
