Due to lockdown in the UK many people have taken up new recreational activities, walking being most popular. However, around 23% percent of UK house holds own dogs as pets, many of which are unaware of the consequences of the threat posed by out-of-control pets, especially when exercising/walking on agricultural land.
A survey undertaken by NFU Mutual in January 2021 revealed that 42% of dog owners had been walking their pets more often in the countryside during the pandemic. Of the total number of owners questioned in the survey, 64% were letting their pets roam free, and half of these stated that their dog(s) did not always come back when called.
It is instinctive for dogs, even if they are well trained and extremely obedient under normal circumstances, to chase. However, the stress of an uncontrolled dog on livestock can have devastating and sometimes life-threatening consequences:
- Death by heart failure/panic from confinement (corner of the field or enclosure)
- Death/serious injury in attempt to escape over fences, hedges, and gates – this also causes damage to the land boundaries
- Death/harm from direct dog attack. Can cause loss of limbs, health complications including fly strike and infections from open wounds – leading to high veterinary bills not to mention severe pain for the livestock
- Abortion in livestock and mothering issues.
There is an extremely high possibility, particularly during the lambing season, that the stress can cause separation of a ewe and its lamb. In turn, this can cause the lamb to suffer starvation and hypothermia if the ewe does not return.
According to the NFU survey referenced above, only 40% of the dog owners surveyed accepted that their pet could cause the injury or death of a farm animal.
In England and Wales under the Dogs (protection of livestock) Act 1953, if a dog “worries” sheep on agricultural land the person in charge of the dog is deemed accountable and guilty of an offence.
The Act states that the term “sheep worrying” incorporates chasing sheep in such a way it could cause injury, suffering, abortion and/or loss of produce, and the dog roaming freely (off the lead or not under close control) and dangerously within an enclosure. Sheep that have escaped from agricultural land are not protected by this Act.
The public have rights of access to open land and these rights are clearly stated by The Countryside and Right of way Act (CROW) along with important restrictions. The Act states that members of the public can go on this ground (land accessed without having to use a path e.g., mountains and registered common land) if they keep their dog on a fixed lead of 2 metres or less near livestock. The farmer of this land reserves the right to close access for up to 6 weeks once a year to safeguard stock.
Farmers are urging the public to be more considerate of the livestock and wildlife that live in our countryside. As well as the constant threat on livestock, there is also a rising concern amongst farmers and wildlife trust members in the decline in ground-nesting bird species.
Both farmers and land managers have been working extremely hard to try and improve the numbers of ground-nesting birds by leaving grass margins within their land and supplying additional feeding through the harsh winter months. However, with the increase of dog walkers on agricultural land throughout the pandemic, the risk exists not only for livestock but also to bird nests during their most significant time – spring and early summer. It is vital for these bird species and their numbers that the nests and the eggs within them remain untouched and compromised.
It is for the safety of the livestock and wildlife that live in our countryside that farmers urge the public to be considerate and keep their dog on a lead. It is instinctive for dogs, even if they are well trained and extremely obedient under normal circumstances, to chase. However, the stress of an uncontrolled dog on livestock can have devastating and sometimes life-threatening consequences:
