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- Keep dogs under close control
Keep dogs under close control
The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s
every owner’s duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or
nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.
- By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb
or scare farm animals or wildlife. You must keep your dog on
a short lead on most areas of open country and common land between
1 March and 31 July, and at all times near farm animals.
- You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths as
long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your
dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers
are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their
animals.
- If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let
your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to
protect it.
- Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and
lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the
ground and other wildlife – eggs and young will soon die without
protection from their parents.
- Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it can cause
infections – so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the
mess responsibly. Also make sure your dog is wormed regularly to
protect it, other animals and people.
- At certain times dogs may not be allowed on some areas of open
land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs. You
can also find out more about these rules from www.ccw.gov.uk or by phoning the CCW
Enquiry Line on 0845 130 6229.