Dog Owner Responsibility
When you're out and about with your dog, it's important that you're aware of the Countryside Code. Being aware of this code can help to keep your dog safe, protect the environment and show that you are a responsible dog owner.
The England and Wales Countryside Code states that:
- You control your dog so that it doesn't scare or disturb farm animals or wildlife.
- When using the new access rights over open country and common land, you must keep your dog on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July - and all year round near farm animals. You may not be able to take your dog at all in some areas or at some times. Please follow any official signs.
- In general you don't have to put your dog on a lead on public paths, as long as they are under close control. Though please be aware of any local laws that may be in place.
- As a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on their obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
- If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead - don't risk getting hurt by trying to protect them. Please click on links to read guides on keeping safe around horses and livestock.
- Take particular care that your dog doesn't scare sheep and lambs, or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife.
- Across the UK, 7 in 10 livestock attacks are caused by unaccompanied dogs, e.g. dogs that have escaped your garden. Make sure your garden is escape-proof.
You can read more about these rules, or if you have a particular query, please call The Open Access Contact Centre on 0845 100 3298.
Dog poo
Bag it and bin it in any public waste bin or take it home.
Always clean up your dog’s poo because it can cause illness in people, livestock and wildlife.
Never leave bags of dog poo around, even if you intend to pick them up later. If you cannot find a public waste bin, you should take it home and use your own bin.