Kennel Club helps Scottish farmers to curb livestock attacks
© Tim Scrivener The Kennel Club is helping farmers in Scotland educate dog walkers who use their land to try to reduce the risk of attacks on livestock during lambing and calving.
The club’s training programme for dog walkers will be shared with farmers so they can offer practical advice to owners and help reduce the chance of any conflict with people on their land.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep worrying
Livestock worrying is a big issue in Scotland and new legislation which seeks tougher sanctions is being considered by the Scottish government.
Walkers are advised to keep dogs on a lead if they are anywhere near livestock, particularly now when cows and sheep have their young at foot.
Practical steps
Stephen Jenkinson, the Kennel Club’s access and countryside adviser, will speak to farmers in the webinar, organised by NFU Scotland (NFUS).
Mr Jenkinson said: “No one in the countryside seeks conflict, be they farmers or dog owners, and so this partnership between the Kennel Club and NFU Scotland will help land managers take practical steps to prevent problems occurring from pets being walked and local dogs that have escaped.
“This mirrors the Kennel Club’s training and education programmes for dog walkers. If everyone knows simple steps to change their behaviour we can make the outdoors a better place for all.”
Legal advice
There will also be legal advice from Tom French, chair of the NFUS legal and technical committee, for farmers who are a victim of livestock worrying.
“This webinar will be invaluable for any farmers and crofters who have issues with dog access to the countryside,” Mr French said.
“We know that there are still ongoing problems with this type of access taking, not least with livestock worrying and dog fouling. We would urge members to attend this session, which will highlight practical ways to deal with issues and also highlight the rights that underpin this.”
The webinar will take place on Wednesday 24 March at 7pm. The NFUS has asked farmers to register in advance.