Dogs and fields
Discussion
Just a few pointers to walkers with dogs at this time of year.
I know for many I'm teaching granny etc but you would be suprised how many dog walkers just don't think.
Dogs must be kept close at hand and that does not mean halfway across the field chasing lambs. What happens to some owners when they see a field they think it's theirs and let their dogs run over it like its the local park???
Not only do we have cows out with calves, sheep with lambs but our yearly nesting birds that are sensitive to fido dashing all over the place.
The amount of times we have to tell people to keep control of their dogs and to explain why is plainly maddening. Have a great summer but remember its not your garden it's a working environment.
I know for many I'm teaching granny etc but you would be suprised how many dog walkers just don't think.
Dogs must be kept close at hand and that does not mean halfway across the field chasing lambs. What happens to some owners when they see a field they think it's theirs and let their dogs run over it like its the local park???
Not only do we have cows out with calves, sheep with lambs but our yearly nesting birds that are sensitive to fido dashing all over the place.
The amount of times we have to tell people to keep control of their dogs and to explain why is plainly maddening. Have a great summer but remember its not your garden it's a working environment.
Is your dog under control?
If you take a dog into the countryside using a public footpath or public bridleway you have a responsibility to keep the dog under control. There is no legal requirement to keep your dog on a lead on a public right of way but unless you are very confident about your dog’s obedience we strongly recommend that you do.
Dogs and livestock
You should be especially aware when a public right of way
enters a field in which there are likely to be farm animals. If your dog ‘worries’ the animals not only could you be prosecuted and fined but you may be ordered to pay compensation and the dog may be put down. ‘Worrying livestock’ means attacking or chasing any farm animal, including poultry. In a field or enclosure a dog that is not a working dog can be regarded as worrying sheep simply by not being on a lead or otherwise under close control. ‘Close control’ has not been legally defined but a dog on a short lead will be under close control while an unrestrained dog may
not be. A landowner is entitled to shoot a dog that is worrying livestock and you may be liable to pay for damages if your dog injures a person, another animal, or any property.
Dog fouling
There are significant health risks associated with dog fouling. Dog faeces carry harmful infections, the most widely known being Toxocariasis. Toxocara eggs are not infectious until they mature, which usually takes at least 2–3 weeks after they have been deposited by a dog. Dog faeces will only contaminate the soil when it has been left on the ground for this period of time so if owners immediately clean up after their dog the threat of toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated. Also, many public rights of way cross land used to produce food and dog faeces can cause serious infections to livestock.
Make sure your dog is wormed regularly, clean up after your dog, and dispose of any mess responsibly. Ask your vet for advice on worming.
Nicked the above
If you take a dog into the countryside using a public footpath or public bridleway you have a responsibility to keep the dog under control. There is no legal requirement to keep your dog on a lead on a public right of way but unless you are very confident about your dog’s obedience we strongly recommend that you do.
Dogs and livestock
You should be especially aware when a public right of way
enters a field in which there are likely to be farm animals. If your dog ‘worries’ the animals not only could you be prosecuted and fined but you may be ordered to pay compensation and the dog may be put down. ‘Worrying livestock’ means attacking or chasing any farm animal, including poultry. In a field or enclosure a dog that is not a working dog can be regarded as worrying sheep simply by not being on a lead or otherwise under close control. ‘Close control’ has not been legally defined but a dog on a short lead will be under close control while an unrestrained dog may
not be. A landowner is entitled to shoot a dog that is worrying livestock and you may be liable to pay for damages if your dog injures a person, another animal, or any property.
Dog fouling
There are significant health risks associated with dog fouling. Dog faeces carry harmful infections, the most widely known being Toxocariasis. Toxocara eggs are not infectious until they mature, which usually takes at least 2–3 weeks after they have been deposited by a dog. Dog faeces will only contaminate the soil when it has been left on the ground for this period of time so if owners immediately clean up after their dog the threat of toxocariasis would be virtually eradicated. Also, many public rights of way cross land used to produce food and dog faeces can cause serious infections to livestock.
Make sure your dog is wormed regularly, clean up after your dog, and dispose of any mess responsibly. Ask your vet for advice on worming.
Nicked the above
Footpaths can be an issue and to help walkers I mow the path in the silage fields to help in directing them in the right direction. Others have put out poles with yellow tops to help walkers. I'm a big fell walker myself and I know how frustrating it can be to know your path around farm buildings but just ask if your not sure. Ramblers can be good and ramblers can be a pain in the arse if they cannot read a simple map provided by the council.
Not as simple as paying for dead sheep or ram as I was offered money if a locals dog killed one of my mine. Average mule sheep let's say one hundred pounds....pedigree two hundred plus and on a bad day your dog kills a top quality sheep and your going up to 50k and hold your breath 235k. Not only are we talking life destroying sums of money you must not forget the years of breeding your dog has destroyed. Dogs only need to worry sheep to start off an abortion reaction which you don't see when stupid walker goes home and thinks his dog has had a lovely day running around.
The country code is there for a reason I only wish it was practiced more.
The country code is there for a reason I only wish it was practiced more.
The main point of my post was to point out the problems we and others have with land and how others see it. I'm now waiting for "you've got a bull in the field, that's illegal to have a bull in a field with a footpath". To put the record straight it's not if it's a beef bull and my highland beef bull is not a baby .
. OS maps are the best in the world for directions but unfortunately it's the numptys that cannot read them that's the problem. As for bulls in fields or highlands with horns. Well farmers don't have limitless supply of land and resting land due to worms, silage and crop rotation is the reason you may come across a bull on a footpath. Dairy bulls are a different ball game and I for one would not be going into its field. I only have three fields that don't have footpaths through them which I use for my pedigree herwicks and the highland calves when their first born.
In simple terms and without getting into breed types...a dairy bull is a black and white one. Their bulls when with cows are very dangerous as they will charge, stamp and basically give you a bad day. The beef bull is one used for producing beef cattle for slaughter. A far more docile animal and won that should be friendly.... The French bula dance around and crush you. 
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