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Original poster

Irresponsible dog owners

28 replies

RampantIvy · 28/02/2022 22:30

I live rurally, and there has been yet another distressing post on the local Facebook page from a farmer who has had two pregnant sheep attacked by a dog. One of the sheep had to be put down, and the farmer is worried that the rest of his sheep might lose their lambs.

This makes me sad for the farmers and so angry with these selfish and lazy dog owners who should know better.

For the record I quite like dogs, but I dislike owners who won't take responsibility for their dogs.

I know that farmers in some circumstances are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep it's a pity they can't shoot their owners

OP posts:

MarmiteCoriander · 28/02/2022 22:36

Why are people walking dogs off lead in a field with sheep? Is there is a public path through the field? If not a public path, could the farmer lock the gates or get cameras?

Original poster

RampantIvy · 28/02/2022 22:48

Yes there are public paths through a lot of the fields where I live. These dog owners are stupid and irresponsible.

OP posts:

labyrinthlaziness · 28/02/2022 22:50

@MarmiteCoriander

Why are people walking dogs off lead in a field with sheep? Is there is a public path through the field? If not a public path, could the farmer lock the gates or get cameras?

Because some people are twats.

It isn't the farmer's fault.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2022 08:11

@MarmiteCoriander

Why are people walking dogs off lead in a field with sheep? Is there is a public path through the field? If not a public path, could the farmer lock the gates or get cameras?

Most fields have public rights of way through them and farmers aren't allowed to lock them.

Installing a camera in the middle of a field with no electricity or internet is often not possible either, sadly.

I live in the Lakes and sheep are killed regularly by dogs. Last year two dogs went on a bit of a killing spree and got shot by the farmer.

CallyfromBlakes7 · 01/03/2022 08:14

I think when a farmer sees people walking their dogs off-lead over their land, they need to shoot a couple of rounds into the air. Just to remind the idiot dog owners that their fur babies can be shot if they worry the farmer's sheep or other livestock. I don't know what goes through these peoples minds.

Original poster

RampantIvy · 01/03/2022 08:14

I wonder if putting a notice up at the stile or gate of a field saying that dogs off the lead in a field of livestock will be shot would make any difference?

OP posts:

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2022 08:19

@RampantIvy

I wonder if putting a notice up at the stile or gate of a field saying that dogs off the lead in a field of livestock will be shot would make any difference?

There are signs like that everywhere - people ignore them.

labyrinthlaziness · 01/03/2022 08:23

@RampantIvy

I wonder if putting a notice up at the stile or gate of a field saying that dogs off the lead in a field of livestock will be shot would make any difference?

I think that is ill-advised as a farmer can't shoot just any dog off the lead, so the police would then be visiting the farmer and discussing their gun licence.

The issue here is the clash of rights. People have a right to walk (with dogs on or off lead) across rights of way, farmers have a right for their animals to be unharried.

SoupDragon · 01/03/2022 08:24

My dog is always on lead anyway so it isn't a problem but sometimes you can come across sheep unexpectedly. Some farmers put up signs warning that there are sheep in the next field and that dogs should be put on the lead which is helpful. It won't stop the irresponsible dog owners though.

I've edged slowly through a field of pregnant ewes before (there was a sign alerting me!) so that they could move slowly away from me and my dog without being spooked.

Nothing will stop an irresponsible dog owner being irresponsible though - obviously if their dog gets shot for sheep worrying then that stops them being any kind of dog owner for a while. It's the dog that pays and it isn't their fault.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2022 08:25

And yes, the other issue is the dog has to be bothering the sheep for farmers to be able to shoot - legally speaking.

Original poster

RampantIvy · 01/03/2022 08:30

People have a right to walk (with dogs on or off lead) across rights of way, farmers have a right for their animals to be unharried.

Surely they don't have the right to walk with dogs off the lead through a field of livestock, especially at this time of year when a lot of them are pregnant?

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 01/03/2022 08:33

Surely they don't have the right to walk with dogs off the lead through a field of livestock, especially at this time of year when a lot of them are pregnant?

They do. The dog just needs to be under "close control" I think, which doesn't mean "on a lead".

labyrinthlaziness · 01/03/2022 08:37

Yes close control =/= on a lead.

You can't shoot a dog until it is worrying the sheep.

givemushypeasachance · 01/03/2022 08:40

It's a criminal offence - from attacking or chasing down to a dog not being on a lead/'under close control' in a field with sheep in. But how often do you hear about prosecutions? www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/1-2/28

Glenthebattleostrich · 01/03/2022 08:42

Just because you have a right to do something doesn't mean you cant use common sense and consideration.

I was talking to another owner about this yesterday. Where we live (semi rural) it seems like everyone and their granny have got spaniels and labs over lockdown and they are so badly trained it's insane. My dog snapped at a spaniel who was jumping on her (trying to play) and the idiot man refused to call it off until I pointed out his dog went after mine first and would be responsible for both sets of vets bills. My dog was pottering happily before this, ignoring the other dog and then trying to get back to me as I had recalled her.

I think there should be a dog license reintroduced, with mandatory training and annual reminder sessions. And I say that as a dog owner who utterly spoils their pooch rotten!

labyrinthlaziness · 01/03/2022 08:44

I think there should be a dog license reintroduced I agree but it would be electorally unpopular.

Lockheart · 01/03/2022 08:51

@CallyfromBlakes7

You can't start discharging ammunition to scare people. You'd find yourself arrested PDQ.

Associatepeggy · 01/03/2022 09:01

You can't shoot rounds into the air or just shoot a dog that's off lead, unless it's actually doing something.

However, people who do walk their dogs off lead in fields of livestock are twats. Even the most bombproof dogs can have an off day. My cockers recall is fantastic, she always comes back immediately. Never had it where she has even hesitated. I still wouldn't let her off lead near livestock. It's really not ok.

But doesn't surprise me that people do. I have just read a local man trying to justify why his girlfriends dog was off lead near the kids rugby pitches while they were training and it ran up and bit one of the players siblings who was playing with their dad at the side of the pitch. Apparently its 'young and excitable'. 🙄

Soubriquet · 01/03/2022 09:08

I’m a dog owner and i would never walk a dog through a sheep field even if my dog was onlead.

I did it accidentally once in Cornwall, where I had paid a fee to go into a botanical garden type place. There was a gate in one part and we went through. There were sheep hidden behind a hill.

As soon as I saw them, I turned round and walked back out.

It isn’t worth the risk

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2022 09:10

@RampantIvy

People have a right to walk (with dogs on or off lead) across rights of way, farmers have a right for their animals to be unharried.

Surely they don't have the right to walk with dogs off the lead through a field of livestock, especially at this time of year when a lot of them are pregnant?

They do.

Dogs have to be under "close control" which doesn't mean on a lead.

Many fields here ask that dogs are kept on leads but it's not legally enforceable.

Chloemol · 01/03/2022 09:13

@RampantIvy

People have a right to walk (with dogs on or off lead) across rights of way, farmers have a right for their animals to be unharried.

Surely they don't have the right to walk with dogs off the lead through a field of livestock, especially at this time of year when a lot of them are pregnant?

Yes they do if there is a public right of way, so footpath or bridleway. Farmers can’t shut them off because of livestock. All they can do is put up notices asking dogs remain on leads and why

SoupDragon · 01/03/2022 09:40

My dog snapped at a spaniel who was jumping on her (trying to play)

This keeps happening to my elderly spaniel. Shitty owners not controlling their off lead dogs.

JammyCandy · 01/03/2022 09:43

Disgusting

So many entitled dog owners about these days. I had a dog jump right up at me and muddy my coat yesterday, no apology from the owner

Glenthebattleostrich · 01/03/2022 10:14

@Soupdragon Hope your dog is ok. Mine has fluxating platelas (i think its called). She's had surgery on one knee and will need more in a couple of years, although it's ok at the moment. It's the reason she was dumped in a rescue. I try to explain that she has dodgy knees and hates that kind of rough play but people dont get it. Her little besties are ace with her and she enjoys a good chase and potter with them but she hates being jumped on, especially after being attacked by a husky with no training.

SoupDragon · 01/03/2022 10:17

He's fine really but he's slightly deaf and is getting cataracts so doesn't appreciate dogs bounding up to him from behind/the side. Plus, he's been attacked a few time so both him and I are wary of certain dogs (although I try not to be)

Other than that he's still like a bloody puppy at 13 🙄

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