The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dog owners urged to act responsibly
Farming union NFU Scotland (NFUS) has launched a campaign – #walkieswithoutworries – encouraging dog owners to act responsibly when visiting the countryside.
The union said the campaign was launched to coincide with an anticipated surge in visitors to the countryside this Easter weekend and as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
It said the social media campaign features five simple infographic messages for dog walkers and members of the public.
People are urged to keep dogs on a lead around sheep and be aware that cattle can be dangerous; to choose alternative routes rather than fields of young calves or lambs; to pick up dog waste and dispose of it responsibly; to leave gates as they find them; and to prevent dogs from disturbing local wildlife and ground-nesting birds.
“We want to support the public, especially those who are new dog owners or new to the countryside, by giving clear messages so they can have #walkieswithoutworries,” said NFUS legal and technical committee chairman, Tom French.
“We encourage our members and those working and living in the countryside to share the infographics on social media so that there is less likelihood of worries for them.”
He said the campaign also coincided with the launch of NFU Scotland’s new online access information hub, available on its website – nfus.org.uk
It features useful information on access rights, downloadable resources such as posters, and a portal for farmers and crofters to log any problems they have with access-takers.
Meanwhile, landowners body Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is urging visitors to the countryside to keep their dogs under control, to not disturb wildlife, and to take litter home.
It follows a rise in incidents of littering, antisocial behaviour, vandalism and fly-tipping in rural Scotland in the past year.
SLE chief executive, Sarah-jane Laing, said: “Rural Scotland will be welcoming to visitors and access-takers; we just ask the public to be mindful to take care in the countryside.”