During this difficult time, we are very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country with pleasant walks in and around our local area.
Many of our public footpaths cross or are adjacent to farmland. Stratton Parish Council has been contacted by farmers who are concerned over the number of dog excrement bags being thrown into the hedges alongside the public paths which pass or cross their farmland. Farmers are obviously concerned about various disease problems from dog mess causing problems with their breeding stock.
The Countryside Code is clear:
‘When you take your dog into the outdoors, always ensure it does not disturb wildlife, farm animals, horses or other people by keeping it under effective control. This means that you:
- Keep your dog on a lead, or
- Keep it in sight at all times, be aware of what it’s doing and be confident it will return to you promptly on command.
- Ensure it does not stray off the path or area where you have a right of access.
Special dog rules may apply in particular situations, so always look out for local signs – for example:
- Dogs may be banned from certain areas that people use, or there may be restrictions, byelaws or control orders limiting where they can go.
- The access rights that normally apply to open country and registered common land (known as ‘open access’ land) require dogs to be kept on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July, to help protect ground nesting birds, and all year round near farm animals.
- At the coast, there may also be some local restrictions to require dogs to be kept on a short lead during the bird breeding season, and to prevent disturbance to flocks of resting and feeding birds during other times of year.
It’s always good practice (and a legal requirement on ‘open access’ land) to keep your dog on a lead around farm animals and horses, for your own safety and for the welfare of the animals. A farmer may shoot a dog which is attacking or chasing farm animals without being liable to compensate the dog’s owner.
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 – ‘bag it and bin it’’
Enjoy the outdoors and Stay safe