Walkers and livestock

Walking with dogs

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. On most areas of open country and common land, known as 'access land' you must keep your dog on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July, and all year round 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 does not 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.
• At certain times, dogs may not be allowed on some areas of access land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs.

Walking without dogs

Without a dog, livestock tend to be quite timid and will usually not be interested in who is walking through their pastures. However, some animals are tamer or those with young who are protective will be more inclined to investigate.

• Before entering a field, always check for any signs that may have been put up by farmers.
• Upon entering a field containing livestock, always check the exit routes.
• If livestock come too close, face them with both arms raised. Don't brandish a stick, as this may excite them, and use an ordinary speaking voice rather than shouting.
• Don't walk between a cow and her calf.
• If wearing a large rucksack and walking through a horse paddock with grazing horses, do not turn your back to the horses as the unusual shape that the bag creates may startle the animal.
• Do not run through fields containing livestock unless you think an animal is about to attack.
• Move to the edge of the field if you feel threatened as this will allow an easier exit route.
• When in a field with livestock, do not attempt to go up to or interact with the livestock or their young.
• If deer begin to run, stand still and wait for them to move away and head straight for the exit route.
• Try not to eat in fields containing livestock as this will attract the animals.