Dog walkers urged to show more consideration when near livestock
that letting it off the lead is harmless. Such dogs can soon disappear out of sight. After much shouting, they usually return panting, but what were they up to in those 10 or 15 minutes they were missing?
I have heard of people watching their dog running after sheep thinking it was only harmless fun, until they were approached by a very irate farmer who told them, in no uncertain terms, that it ran the risk of being shot if it wasn’t put back on a lead.
Even if they are not chasing sheep, strange dogs frighten them and the sight of one can have them running in a blind panic. Young lambs trying to follow their ewes can fall into ditches or streams and drown. They may also run in the opposite direction of their mother and get lost.
Without actually biting or chasing a sheep, the most affectionate family pet can inadvertently harm them.
Another danger for dog owners, even when they keep their pet on a lead, is the risk they pose to themselves by recently calved cows.
Cows can be very protective of their young calves and there have been many incidents of farmers and walkers being seriously injured or killed by them.
The risk of that happening is increased by the presence of a dog, which cows regard as a particular threat. Indeed, there are few farmers foolish enough to take their collies with them when they are inspecting their cows and calves.
Tougher penalties and education are needed to tackle the sheepworrying problem. The simple message we have to get across is that visitors to the countryside must keep their dogs on a lead at all times.