🐾 Keeping Dogs Under Control in the Countryside 🌾
Added at 12:22 on 25 February 2026
🐾 Keeping Dogs Under Control in the Countryside 🌾
Many of our local footpaths and rights of way cross working farmland where livestock, horses and wildlife are present. If you're out enjoying the countryside with your dog, please make sure you’re following the Countryside Code.
Please remember:
✔️ Keep your dog under effective control and in sight at all times
✔️ Use a short lead around livestock, horses and wildlife
✔️ Never allow your dog to chase animals – even in play
✔️ Follow local signage – some areas require dogs to be on leads
✔️ Bag it and bin it – or take dog waste home with you
🐑 Lambing season reminder
During lambing season, sheep and lambs are especially vulnerable. Even calm, well-behaved dogs can cause serious harm simply by chasing or causing stress. Please keep dogs on a short lead and stick strictly to public footpaths at this time.
Dogs worrying livestock can cause injury, death and significant distress to farmers. In serious cases, farmers are legally permitted to take action to protect their animals.
By following the Countryside Code, we can all help keep people, animals and dogs safe while enjoying our beautiful local countryside.
Find out more: www.countryside-code.org.uk