member login

Home > Public Zone > Minimal Impact > Minimal impact - Dogs

Minimal Impact - Dogs

 Every Spring, a plea goes out to dog owners to take special care with their pets as the height of the lambing season and a critical time for ground nesting birds reaches its peak. Although most dog owners take great care around breeding livestock and wildlife, the thoughtless minority can cause havoc, according to Lake District National Park ranger Graham Standring.

He said, "This is a very sensitive and important time. A dog chasing lambing sheep can cause them to abort and, in the worst cases, kill the ewe. Farmers have reported some sickening cases over the years and ultimately they have the right to shoot out of control pets. This is obviously a last resort, but sometimes they have no other choice.

"Lambing time coincides with ground nesting birds producing their offspring, which are also at great risk from dogs. Species such as curlew, lapwing, snipe and grouse have nests disturbed and their chicks scattered. And once away from the nest, their chances of survival plummet. We've seen a worrying decline in numbers and must do all we can to protect them."

By law in England, dogs must be controlled so that they do not scare or disturb livestock or wildlife. On open access land, they have to be kept on short leads from 1 March to 31 July and all year round near sheep. Close supervision is also required on public rights of way.

Remember our top ten tips:

1. Never allow your dog into fields where there are young animals.
2. Never allow your dog into cultivated fields unless you are on a right of way and then keep your dog on the path.
3. It might be only 'play' to your dog but never let your dog worry farm animals.
4. If you go into a field of farm livestock, steer well clear of them and keep your dog on a short lead to avoid potential confrontation.
5. If cattle do react aggressively or with curiosity and head towards you, let the dog go and calmly take the safest route out of the field even if it means retracing your steps.
6. During the bird breeding season (usually April- July) keep your dog on a short lead in sensitive areas such as moorland, forests, open grassland, lochs and by the sea.
7. Bear in mind 'poop and scoop' wherever you and your dog are even, or especially, in remote places. Why risk spreading parasites to wildlife?
8. Many reservoirs and streams are used as drinking water sources so keep your dog out of the water.
9. As a courtesy to others, slip the lead on your dog when walking towards others on a narrow path.
10. What are exuberant expressions of fun and greeting by your dog may be misread by other people and can frighten children. 'Don't worry - he won't hurt you' is not an acceptable alternative to close control.

To download the leaflet for taking dogs in the countryside for England  click here: 

To download the leaflet for taking dogs in the countryside for Scotland click here

Please note that land access and dog management regulations vary between England and Scotland so it's worth checking out the relevant website link before you set off, depending on where you are!

Back to Minimal Impact

Back to Minimal Impact Summary

Back to top