Warning for walkers with dogs

[C3BER]

No need for a debate but just like to flag up this is an important time of year for sheep and their unborn lambs.

Sheep will quickly abort their lambs if stressed and with lots of walkers out during the holidays please be extra careful if walking near sheep.

[Agrispeed]

C3BER said:

No need for a debate but just like to flag up this is an important time of year for sheep and their unborn lambs.

Sheep will quickly abort their lambs if stressed and with lots of walkers out during the holidays please be extra careful if walking near sheep.

Not to mention that being rammed can kill! (I know someone who was rammed by an Ewe whilst handling them, broke the femoral artery and he sadly couldn't get help in time)

Cows are susceptible to this too - as are deer and many other animals. Not to mention that they can hurt you aswell - If a cow goes for you drop the lead and run! Dogs can normally get out of trouble, you need to jump over the nearest hedge as soon as possible!

Farm animals are dangerous folks, give them lots of respect, although I'm sure you all do, being the sensible sort of folks you are here

[Ian Lancs]

Agrispeed said:

If a cow goes for you drop the lead and run! Dogs can normally get out of trouble, you need to jump over the nearest hedge as soon as possible!

Not with a dog, but I have very vivid memories of throwing fishing gear one way as I ran the other way when a cow decided me walking in her field to the river wasn't on. Running in waders is not easy! (Thankfully the farmer wasn't a complete ar$e so later used some old gates to mark a path along the hedge)

[C3BER]

February will be the time my cows have a massive hormone change. Their bodies change in readiness for calving. Just becareful as they can be rather moody during this period.

[grumpyscot]

And serve anyone right whose dog ends up getting shot if it strays too near the animals. Local farmer in Edinburgh has put up notices all over the place saying that he will shoot any dog on his land that isn't on a lead. And he's been on TV confirming that!

[M001]

[quote=grumpyscot]And serve anyone right whose dog ends up getting shot if it strays too near the animals. Local farmer in Edinburgh has put up notices all over the place saying that he will shoot any dog on his land that isn't on a lead. And he's been on TV confirming that!

Was the Viz character based on him?

[Starfighter]

grumpyscot said:

And serve anyone right whose dog ends up getting shot if it strays too near the animals. Local farmer in Edinburgh has put up notices all over the place saying that he will shoot any dog on his land that isn't on a lead. And he's been on TV confirming that!

Surely that cannot be legal? If a dog is chasing livestock I can understand but he cannot serously engage a dog walking to heal just because it is on his land.

[TIGERSIX]

Starfighter said:

Surely that cannot be legal? If a dog is chasing livestock I can understand but he cannot serously engage a dog walking to heal just because it is on his land.

No said dog has to be seen worrying livestock first ,but be warned walking a dog near livestock off a lead isn't sensible especially in the coming months cows in calve are unpredictable if cows close in on you then dog has ago its curtains for the dog if it then chases the cows and is seen ,always keep dogs on leads when ever you see livestock is the best rule of thumb IMHO

[C3BER]

We have to show we have taken all common sense actions to keep everybody safe. I move my highlands to fields without footpaths during the build up to calving. The sheep on the other hand are all over the place and are in fields with footpaths.

All I need to do is see a dog chase one of my sheep for me legally be able to shoot it but this is not the reason for the post.

It's just to make everybody realise that this time of year is a very sensitive time for livestock.

[Changedmyname]

We only ever go on the beach or up the forestry oh or down the rivers, nowhere near any farms ,even though we live in Wales.

Cos we're good we are.

[C3BER]

We have welsh badger face sheep next door. I love their look and looking at buying some.

[Agrispeed]

C3BER said:

We have welsh badger face sheep next door. I love their look and looking at buying some.

Although they are easy to look after in chop form, any livestock I'm afraid to say is a pain in the arse to keep, although easy too look after, DEFRA try and make your life a misery, with holding numbers, tagging etc. (even micro pigs)

I must say I do really enjoy going out and checking my livestock in the morning, they are all characters, and it's great just to watch them (particularly calves or lambs) gambol around the fields

[C3BER]

Our Highlands are such characters and they all know their names. They taste rather nice as an added benefit

I'm trying herdwicks as an alternative to fat lambs. They grow a lot faster then the fell grown stock but taste just as good.

I totally agree its great to see happy new born animals...it brings a lump to my pocket

[TIGERSIX]

Agrispeed said:

Although they are easy to look after in chop form

We will have to wait for the scientists to perfect this format and every one will be keeping them, much more free space to ramble over in the countryside me thinks

[GokTweed]

C3BER said:

Our Highlands are such characters and they all know their names. They taste rather nice as an added benefit

I'm trying herdwicks as an alternative to fat lambs. They grow a lot faster then the fell grown stock but taste just as good.

I totally agree its great to see happy new born animals...it brings a lump to my pocket

Steady now..

[C3BER]

Ha ha nom nom cash cash