Do prevent your dog from chasing wildlife & farm animals

Keep your dog in sight and do not allow them to chase wildlife or grazing animals, other dogs or pets.

Keep your dog on a lead near grazing animals. Even friendly dogs who don’t normally chase may set grazing animals running in fear and this can have serious consequences including injury and the loss of unborn young.  There are also incidents when grazing animals are injured or killed, this is now thought to be more often when owners are not present, as well as sometimes when they are but aren’t able to call the dog back. It is really helpful if land managers let people know if grazing animals are on a site that has public access rights and preferably the area that they are in where there are different fenced areas.

It’s unlikely that you and your dog will be chased by farm animals, but if you are, let your dog off the lead so you can both get away more easily.  Stick to areas with public access where grazing animals should be more used to people being around and don’t approach animals or get in between adults and their young. Approaching and feeding animals can lead to them becoming ill, putting themselves in danger by approaching others or becoming a problem by approaching other people or parked cars they see in pursuit of food.

Always close gates after you, and if you see any grazing animals in distress please call the contact number given on site.

Migrating or overwintering birds need all their energy reserves and can be left vulnerable and exhausted if chased, so also be aware and prevent your dog from chasing flocks. Even getting too close can send flocks who aren’t used to people being around up into the air time after time.

Chasing games with other dogs are only a game if all the dogs involved know it’s a game and are happy playing – don’t allow your dog to approach or chase other dogs they don’t know unless everyone knows it’s a game and is happy with that – all dogs and owners.