Short leads essential around livestock, report says
Policy brief calls for change to countryside guidance in Scotland
Dog owners should be told that they must keep their dog on a short lead around farm animals, a new report into livestock worrying in Scotland has argued.
Current public guidance in Scotland, as published in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC), asks owners to keep their dogs on a short lead or under ‘close control’ when in fields where there are farm animals.
The report, produced by researchers at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), argues that the phrase ‘close control’ creates ambiguity and should be dropped to help protect livestock.
The recommendation is based on the findings of a workshop that the researchers held in the spring of 2023 to gather the views of a range of stakeholders including countryside rangers, dog trainers, and farmers.
Other recommendations in the report include higher fines for dog-related offences, the creation of an easy-to-read version of the SOAC with less text and more images, and for the Scottish government to explore the reintroduction of dog licensing.
The report also suggests that the use of the phrase ‘right to roam’ should be discouraged, with the term ‘responsible access’ used instead.
Farming groups in the UK have long emphasised the importance of keeping dogs on a lead when visiting areas of the countryside where there might be livestock.
Kate Lamont, a behavioural scientist at SRUC and co-author of the study, said: “Many dog owners are caught out unawares, are apologetic and upset by their dog’s behaviour, and will take steps to avoid repetition. However, others angrily defend what they describe as their right to roam – not realising that their right is for responsible access.
“Farmers and crofters ask that dogs be kept away from livestock and, where that is not possible, that owners keep their dogs on a short lead if there is livestock nearby.”
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