Plea to follow dog walking code this Christmas

Keep close control of your dogs while out and about over the holiday period and follow dog walking code

The CLA, which represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses throughout the North, is appealing for dog owners to keep close control of their dogs while out and about over the holiday period.

Defra recently reported that walking with a dog accounted for 1.51 billion visits to the English countryside in 2014–2015, half of the total amount made by the public.

As 2015 draws to a close, the CLA is urging dog walkers to follow the Dog Walking Code to ensure that incidents of damage and on-farm accidents involving dogs are kept to a minimum as people use their free time over the holiday to enjoy walks with their pets.

CLA North Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn said: “Country walks are a festive tradition but can cause irreparable harm through thoughtless behaviour. Getting out and enjoying the countryside over Christmas is a good thing, but it is vital that dog owners understand their responsibilities when walking their dogs on farms.

“That means knowing where it is permitted to walk, keeping dogs under close control at all times - and on leads around livestock - and cleaning up after them.

“Sheep and livestock worrying by dogs can have a disastrous effect for farmers. Dogs disturbing or chasing wildlife can also both harm the animals and jeopardise conservation schemes which help to protect vulnerable plants and wildlife. Any damage caused can have a big impact on farmers and landowners.”

The Dog Walking Code is an initiative published by countryside stakeholder groups including Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Kennel Club, and the CLA.

The Dog Walking Code

For safe and happy walks with your dog, and to avoid causing problems for others:

Ensure your dog is under effective control, which means:

• You have a short lead with you and use it when needed (e.g. around livestock, near cliff edges or where signage requests it)
• You do not let your dog off the lead unless you keep it in sight and close enough to come back to you on command
• Prevent your dog from approaching horse riders, cyclists, or other people and their dogs uninvited.
• Keep your dog with you on paths or access land and don't let it stray into crops including fields of grass, fruit and vegetables.
• Never let your dog worry or chase wildlife or livestock. Follow advice on local signs to reduce disturbance to plants and animals.

Stay SAFE around farm animals and horses:

• Stop, look and listen before entering a field; be aware of any animals present
• Always keep your dog on a short lead
• Find the safest route around animals, giving them plenty of space and using paths or access land where possible
• Exit the area calmly and quickly if threatened, releasing your dog to make it easier for you both to reach safety

• Always bag and bin your dog’s poo wherever you are. You can use any public waste bin or your bin at home.
• Never leave bags of dog poo lying around, even if you intend to pick them up later. Containers and deodorised bags can make them easier to carry.
• Ensure your details are on your dog’s collar and it is microchipped, so you can be reunited quickly if it is lost.
• Keep your dog’s vaccinations and worming up to date. Ask your vet for more information.
• Contact your local authority, or look out for signs, to get more information about what to do and where to go in your area.