Sheep Worrying Awareness – Dog Walking Do’s and Don’ts!

With lambing season coming into fruition, it’s that time of year again when we have to take extra care on our dog walks! Particularly in rural areas where the scenery attracts walkers and dog owners, footpaths can pass through farmers’ fields and subsequently sheep fields. As dog owners we can often see open rolling fields and let our dogs off the lead, not realising that just around the next corner or over the tip of the next hill, there are sheep.

It is in a dog’s nature however obedient they are to want to chase other animals, therefore they will naturally want to chase sheep if they are off the lead. No matter how small your dog is sheep will be extremely frightened by being chased and this will cause the sheep to flee in panic. This can subsequently cause the sheep to become injured and in some cases this can be fatal.

If the sheep are carrying lambs then the act of them being chased can cause them to miscarry their young, so although you may not see the harm in sheep running across a field away from your dog, this act can in fact cause significant damage to the sheep and their unborn young.

Sheep worrying is in fact a serious crime as it not only endangers the well-being and in some cases life, of the sheep and their unborn lambs, it can also be an extremely costly act of negligence for the farmers! Some dogs even bite and maul sheep and lambs, as part of a natural hunting instinct, this can cause farmers significant financial burdens in vet bills and medical care.

In addition, if a sheep is chased away by a dog, they can become separated from their lambs and this can then cause the lambs to contract hypothermia and in some cases die from starvation. It is absolutely vital that you keep your dogs on a lead around any livestock and that you follow the basic legislation with regards to walking your dog near sheep. Please find a summary of the legislation below:

“The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence. The Act considers sheep worrying to include attacking sheep, chasing them in a way that may cause injury, suffering, abortion or loss of produce or being at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.” (National Sheep Association, 2019).

Link to the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953 Government Legislation Documentation.

If the legislation is not followed, in some cases farmers have the right to shoot dogs on their land. This is only in extreme cases, but it is simply not a risk that is worth taking, for any dog owner. In short, if there is any risk on your walks of their being sheep, even if they weren’t in the field the previous week, they could be there now! Look out for signs on gates and fences as you enter fields and always keep a look out well ahead of where you are walking. Most importantly, keep your dogs on a lead at all times, no matter how well behaved they are! Or another option is to opt for a different dog walking route through lambing season, somewhere with low risk of their being sheep, such as a beach or forest walk.

Keep both you and your dog safe around any livestock and don’t forget – sheep worrying is a crime!

To enquire about Scamps and Champs pet care services, to check availability or make an enquiry simply contact us via our online form.

Top 3 Dog-Friendly UK Holiday Destinations

Let’s face it, as dog owners we are barking mad about our canine friends, with most of us viewing them firmly as one of the family. Therefore, with the February half-term holidays approaching you are likely to be seeking a well deserved break, with the entire family included. However, searching for accommodation and restaurants where your fur baby, and human children, are welcome in all areas can turn into a ruff ordeal! It will therefore come as no great surprise that some of the most dog welcoming destinations in the United Kingdom fall within our beautiful national parks, offering rolling countryside, stunning scenery and ample dog walking opportunities. Within these leash-worthy locations they don’t shy away from dog walkers, muddy paws or excited children, they embrace the outdoors and invite you inside with open arms. Here are our top three pawsome friendly holiday destinations and why we know they will be perfect for the whole family, fur sure!

1.    The Lake District

The stunning Lake District welcomes your four-legged friend with open arms, offering endless outdoor opportunities and dining options for the whole family! The Lake District is renowned for being one of the most welcoming holiday destinations for our dogs, not only due to the endless Wainwrights that can be explored up on the fells, but within the tourist attractions too. From the Windermere Lake Cruises, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, the Ullswater Steamers and the Ravenglass Railway in Eskdale, you are not short of thrilling day trips where your pup-pal can be fully involved in your adventures. In addition, you are spoilt for choice with dog friendly restaurants and bars, that won’t blink an eye at your muddy walking boots or mucky mutt. Fancy a fabulous forest walk? Then look no further than the gorgeous deep green forests of Whinlatter and Grizedale where the trees appear to reach the sky. There are ample adventure playground opportunities for children and most importantly your dog can run freely around the forest footpaths.

For more information see Lake District dog friendly; accommodation, places to eat, pet etiquette and a dogs in Cumbria guide.

2.    The Yorkshire Dales

Every year millions of canine visitors flock to the Yorkshire Dales with their owners in the hope of finding hound friendly hotels, pup-tastic pubs and glorious countryside walks. Dogs in the Dales are embraced and greeted by many shops and pubs, who have bowls of water outside their establishments ready for your thirsty pals. Indeed some restaurants go even further in their attempt to satisfy the needs of your furry friend by offering a delicious doggy menu in addition to their standard menu, meaning you can all eat together at the end of a long days walking. You are also spoilt for choice with dog friendly attractions around the Dales including; Richmond Castle, Parcevall Gardens, Markenfield Hall, Ingleborough Cave, Harrogate Paintball Centre, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Skipton Boat Trips, to name just a few!   

For further essential information take a look at dogs in the Dales.

3.    The Peak District

Dog friendly Derbyshire is packed full of places to stay and things to do with your pawsome pups. Dogs are well and truly welcome in the Peak District with numerous café’s, bars and restaurants classifying themselves as dog friendly. You can’t walk far without noticing the array of signs above shop doors proudly informing you that ‘dogs are welcome.’ Ensuring there are no awkward moments where you stand outside with the dog, whilst the rest of the family enter the shop for a browse. You can explore the Monsal Trail or perhaps Monsal Head and walk down into Mondal Dale, with the whole family, letting your dog run freely in the beautiful countryside. Grinlow Woods and Bakewell also offer numerous outdoor opportunities for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of the Peak District. You can end the day perfectly in one of the many dog friendly hotels where you can all enjoy relaxing together, at the end of a wonderful day in one of the most beautiful national parks in England, with your dog by your side.

Check out this useful overview of dog friendly accommodation in the pet friendly Peak District.

Are we fur’ real? Well, yes we are! Our dogs are part of our family and therefore finding the perfect accommodation, eating establishments and attractions, where everyone can enjoy the entire holiday together is pawsible. It is all down to location and all available on our doorstep, if you just know where to look. You and your precious pups never need to be separated again and you can look forward to many hound-friendly holidays together in the future. Happy February Half-Term!

Unable to take your dog away this time? View Scamps and Champs full range of pet care services, availability and booking details.

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

With snow on the way, some tips for looking after our fur babies this winter

Dogs cold weather advice

  • Put a dog coat or jumper on them when you go out for a walk, especially if you have a fine coated dog, such as a Greyhound or a Staffie
  • Check their paws and defrost snow – and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired dogs are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Clean their paws at the end of your walk as salt and grit from roads and pavements can get between your dog’s paws
  • Dry off wet and muddy dogs after walks
  • Provide them with lots of toys for them to play with indoors and do not force your dog out in the cold weather
  • Make sure your dog has good recall if you’re letting them off the lead when out dog walking so they do not get lost when visibility is reduced in foggy or snowy weather conditions
  • Attach a small light to your dog’s collar so other pedestrians can see them when out on walks in weather which reduces visibility
  • Keep contact details on your pet’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray.

Cats cold weather advice

  • Avoid using antifreeze and products containing products. Cats are attracted to the taste of the chemical which is severely dangerous causing many cats to die every year. If this does occur, seek veterinary advice immediately
  • Provide a litter tray for your cat so they do not have to go outside if they choose not to
  • Provide lots of interesting toys for your cat to play with if they are spending more time indoors
  • Dry off your cat if they get wet outside
  • Check their paws and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired cats are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Leave somewhere warm and snuggly for them to curl up in if your cat is home alone during the day, especially for older cats
  • Keep your cat indoors in the colder evenings so they are safe from the traffic in conditions with reduced visibility
  • Keep contact details on your cat’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray
  • Tap the hood of your car before starting the engine to disturb any sleeping stowaways – cats have a habit of crawling under car bonnets to soak up the warmth from the engine

         Outdoor pets cold weather advice

  • Check your pets water in cold weather the water can freeze leaving your pet with no water to drink
  • Top up bedding extra bedding will help keep your outdoor pet warm
  • Popping a cover over the front of cages through the night, will help to keep some heat in the cage as the temperature drops.
  • Outdoors pets may need more calories in the cold weather to generate energy and keep warm.
  • Consider moving inside in extremely cold weather you may want to move your pets indoors. Perhaps in shed or garage. Or for field kept pets like horses or donkeys, providing a shelter or stable.