How to safely walk your dog around livestock

6th Mar 2024 Animals & Pets

3 min read

With lambing season here, it's your responsibility to wak your dog safely around livestock. Here's how to keep your dog and livestock safe

With spring in the air a walk through the beautiful British countryside can be just the ticket to some fresh air and exercise with your dog.

However, many fields you pass on your way may be shared with livestock, especially at this time of year with lambing season, and it is your responsibility to make sure your dog is walked safely.

"The best way of keeping everyone safe is to pop your dog on a short lead while you're near livestock"

The best way of keeping everyone safe is to pop your dog on a short lead while you are anywhere where there is, or may be, livestock.

You can then reward your dog for calm behaviour around nearby field-kept animals, including horses and livestock.

Even if you are confident that your dog will be calm and ok around livestock, most livestock will find it stressful if a dog comes too close to them so it’s best to keep at a good distance.

Top tips to keep your dog and livestock safe

Dog looking at a horse with cows in background

Be very careful with your dog around livestock and horses. Credit: Helena Lopes

Dogs who are ordinarily calm and focused at home or on their usual walks can become distracted and behave differently when in a rural environment where their sense of smell and chase instinct are easily stimulated. Even though your pet walks on lead without pulling or comes back immediately when called in the park, the enticing new countryside environment may make them forget your careful training.
Plan ahead before walking in the countryside. Take tasty treats with you to keep your dog focused on you and serve as a distraction if they become interested in livestock. Work on their recall so you can call your dog back to you when you need to, as well as sit, down and stay, so you can keep your dog still when you need to remain calm around other animals.
Get puppies and older dogs used to livestock soon after you get them. Gradually expose your new pet to livestock from a distance while on a lead and reward calm and relaxed behaviour with lots of treats.

While out on a walk

Look out for signs about livestock in fields.
If you decide to let your dog off in a field without livestock, always call them back when you're going into a new field where you cannot see whether there is livestock present.
If you can see farm animals, or if you think you may come across them on your walk, keep your dog on a short lead. While there’s no law requiring you to keep your dog leashed, it will give you peace of mind that they will be unable to chase livestock.

"Don't pass between adult sheep or cows and their young—they may act aggressively to protect their lambs or calves"

Don't pass between and separate adult sheep or cows from their young. They may act aggressively to protect their lambs or calves. Don't pass between and separate adult sheep or cows from their young. They may act aggressively to protect their lambs or calves.
Don't panic if a cow approaches you gently—they are inquisitive animals. Walk away calmly.
If you and your dog are chased or charged at, let go of your dog's lead. It's usually the dog they see as a threat rather than you and most dogs can easily outrun a cow, but the majority of us humans cannot.

Why is livestock at risk?

It's natural for dogs to enjoy chasing moving objects, but this can be very problematic when it's directed towards livestock. Some breeds of dog may be more likely to chase than others, particularly those that have been bred for hunting or herding.

Many dogs do walk calmly on the lead around livestock, but anything can happen and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

"Even if your dog does not actually wound an animal, livestock worrying is still a criminal offence"

Sheep, cows, pigs, goats, chickens and other animals are easily worried by things that could threaten them.

Dogs who chase—even if they do not catch or bite the livestock—can still cause physical harm to farm animals by running towards them.

When livestock are panicked, they may:

run away from danger, which can cause injury such as broken bones
bunch themselves together tightly in a group, which can also cause injury and fatalities
miscarry their unborn young due to worry

Is livestock worrying a criminal offence?

Dog running off lead with wary sheep in the background

Be aware that livestock worrying can see you prosecuted. Credit: Fiona Dodd

It goes without saying that dogs should not be allowed to wound livestock. But, even if your dog does not wound an animal, livestock worrying (chasing or attacking) is still a criminal offence.

Your dog does not have to physically harm a farm animal for you to be prosecuted.

By law, farmers on their own land are also allowed to shoot dogs who worry their animals as a last resort.

What if someone else is walking my dog?

If your dog goes to stay with family or friends or is walked by someone else when you're not there, then legally, it is both of your responsibility to keep your dog under control. We recommend discussing situations where you might want your dog to stay on a lead, like around livestock, with anyone who is walking your dog.

For more expert pet advice from Blue Cross, visit bluecross.org.uk

Banner photo: Keep your dog on a lead around livestock. Credit: Jon Ke

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