Keep your dog on a lead

Local dog owners are urged to enjoy the countryside responsibly by keeping their dogs on a lead when near to livestock, to avoid sheep worrying.

Sheep worrying, which involves a dog attacking or chasing sheep, can cause serious damage to livestock and is a criminal offence. The stress of worrying by dogs can result in sheep being injured or killed; cause damage to fences and field boundaries as sheep run from dogs; and lead to loss of life among lambs when they become separated from their mother and fail to find her again.

This importance of this issue was brought home to Macclesfield’s MP, David Rutley, when he attended a meeting with the local branch of the National Farmers Union recently. At the meeting, local farmers spoke about their own experiences of sheep worrying and highlighted the vital need for dog owners to act responsibly and keep their dogs on a lead when walking through fields containing livestock.

The meeting also focussed on the UK’s future agricultural policy following its withdrawal from the EU and its effects on the farming community. The event was kindly hosted by Jo Burrows, a livestock farmer in Macclesfield Forest. Following the meeting, David spoke with Ms Burrows in more detail about the farm’soperations during the lambing season.

NFU Macclesfield Group Secretary Rebecca Gayne said: “The NFU is currently looking to increase links with other organisations, such as veterinary surgeries, rehoming charities and pet stores, who can help further push out and promote our message to the wider public that dogs should be kept on a lead when walked near livestock in the countryside. Dog walkers are reminded that even the most docile of pets can cause serious injury and death to livestock if they are not walked responsibly, particularly if that dog is not familiar with livestock.”

Speaking after his meeting, David said, “We are fortunate to have access to so much wonderful countryside around Macclesfield and it is great that local people can enjoy this with their dogs. It is vital that dog owners are responsible around livestock and follow recommended guidance to help ensure that they can have fun and safe days out in the countryside with their pets, without disrupting the important work of sheep farmers. It was good to meet again with local members of the National Farmers Union to learn more about this important issue, which is particularly relevant during the lambing season.”