Proposed protection of livestock bill puts dog owners lives at risk. The Kennel Club (KC) has raised concerns of the risks to human health and safety presented by the proposed Protection of Livestock (Scotland) Bill, and has deemed the well-intentioned but ill-informed plans a missed opportunity to tackle the issue effectively.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “With 1,400 sheep on our own farm, sheep worrying is a serious issue for the Kennel Club; dog owners should always have their pets on lead around livestock, but crucially they must release their dogs if threatened by cattle. The tone and content of the proposals ignores this reality, and focuses far too much on increasing penalties after sheep worrying has happened, rather than applying proven good practice to ensure the health and safety of people, sheep and dogs. Making people fearful of letting their dogs off lead when their lives are in danger from cattle, or making them feel unwelcome in the countryside when they are not causing any problems is bad for the health and wellbeing of both people and their pets, and adds to the burden on the NHS.

Evidence from previous Parliamentary reviews and the UK’s bigger farm insurer show that credible signage that keeps people safe and helps them avoid conflict with sheep is effective, and we are disappointed that the consultation failed to acknowledge the role farmers can play in reducing problems. Most of all, the unjustified blaming of all incidents on people walking dogs does nothing to deal with the biggest problem, which Police Scotland have shown comes from dogs escaping from gardens and being out alone.” Full Article HERE

Thanks for posting, as I wasn't aware of this.

I am over 70 and as long as I can remember the advice has always been that if threatened by cattle you should let the dog off lead. They can move faster and dodge far better than you meanwhile you get the H*** out of the field.
Been a number of reports over the years of people killed by cattle while trying to protect their on-lead dog.

I had a scary encounter with some cattle going through some Open Access land many years ago.  We were just walking through, with the dogs on lead, and they started to stampede towards us and then would stop in a huddle and look at us and then stampede a bit closer.  We released the dogs from their leads and ran to the gate.  The dogs got there before us.  We were all ok, but it was a bit scary.  I grew up around cows and have always found them to be placid and docile so I was taken aback by how this herd behaved and they were not suitable to put in an Open Access field for sure.  I think they were young bullocks and maybe it was too much testosterone or nervousness or something...

>they were not suitable to put in an Open Access field for sure.

I gather all farmland in Scotland is open access, and livestock have to be put somewhere!

Yes, this was not in Scotland.

I've not read the entire article, but we had a frightening encounter when crossing a field (public footpath) with our then one Basset.   They were heiffers and although they didn't charge, it was on the cards.  We got out of there fast.      It bothers me that farmers don't always put ideal stock in fields with public footpaths crossing their fields.  Not to belittle the damage that can be done, to sheep, of course, but there are two sides to this.
I do have a healthy respect for cattle!!

Having grew up with & been farming for 45 years, although not been for the last 4 years, you should NEVER run away from cows/heifer/steers/bulls, they WILL run faster than you for certain!! You should calming walk to the closest hedge/fence, if the gate is further away, then along the hedge/fence.

> I gather all farmland in Scotland is open access, and livestock have to be put somewhere!

Absolutely, I can't find it now but I did read an article about human cattle related injuries and we have less up here then in England, despite having the right to roam, of course we also have less people so it probably doesn't tell us anything

The outdoor access code has guidance for both farmers and dog walkers and generally works pretty well to keep people safe.

It tells farmers "Keep animals known to be dangerous away from fields crossed by a core path or other well-used route. If this is not possible, tell the public and signpost a reasonable alternative route"


Dog walkers are told......
Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals
Don't take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals
If you go into a field of farm animals, keep your dog(s) on a short lead or close at heel and keep as far as possible from the animals
If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field