Organised by NFU’s Kendal Group Secretary Sarah Kitching and named ‘An advice evening for dog owners – lead by example’ approximately 30 people attended the meeting on Tuesday 24 May at Kitridding Farm to listen to livestock farmer and NFU uplands national vice chair Richard Pedley, Claudia Atkinson, a dog trainer who owns Claudia’s Canine Coaching and Mary Crackles who is a Veterinary Surgeon at Westmorland Vet Group.
Claudia spoke in-depth about dog behaviours and why they may be unpredictable, Richard talked the audience through the farming calendar and keeping walkers safe from cattle trampling, Sarah pointed out legislation and the law with regards what actions farmers can take against dogs worrying livestock and Mary pointed out the risks of disease caused primarily by dog faeces.
“Lambs tend to stick together in fields so if they’re frightened, they will gather as a group in the corner of a field and this can lead to younger lambs being smothered at the centre,” explained Richard of Oak Tree Farm in Barbon near Carnforth.
“At the back end of the tupping season sheep come a tupping every 17 days. If they are frightened, they are at risk of reabsorbing the lambs. We as farmers would only find this out at scanning time.
“Nearly 15,000 sheep are killed yearly by dog attacks. These are needless and preventable deaths which can be avoided if dogs are kept on a lead.
“Farmers are proud of what they do in the countryside and want to share it with you but it’s important we have respect on both sides.”
The Pedley family
Claudia added: “We’ve all heard people say their dog would never dream of chasing a sheep. But let me tell you that every dog has that instinct and to them it is just a game.
“It will not kill your dog to have a day without free running, but they could end up dead if they are off a lead and worrying a field of sheep. The farmer does have the right to shoot a dog worrying their livestock. If you are in doubt, don’t let your dogs off. There are free running fields with eight-foot fences that cost as little as £8 an hour and are a better option.”
NFU’s Sarah Kitching asked the room if they were nervous of cattle and at least half put up their hands. Richard said: “I have three children at home. We don’t keep cattle we think are a danger and I don’t know any farmers who would. However, care must be taken, they can weigh half a tonne. In 2020/2021 eleven people were killed by cattle. Four of them were in the north and six on farms.
“Generally, a dog will outrun cattle so let go of the lead if you are being chased. I’d urge you all to get to know the farmers if you have a regular walking route and they’ll advise you on the safest routes around their land. At the end of the day it’s a working environment.”
Sarah Kitching added: “I know farmers like Maggie and Dave Kelly at Nether Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale who have funded their own alternative fenced off routes for walkers so that the cows can be avoided, and a lot of my members attended a meeting last month about this issue because they want to know how best to keep walkers and dog owners safe on their land.”
Dog owner Geoff Wilson from Stainton
Feedback from the dog owners
Lisa Whetter from Levens
“Tonight’s meeting was extremely useful because I’m an educator at an outdoor activity company in the Lakes. We teach kids from city centres, some of whom have never seen sheep before, so the information I’ve gathered from the speakers will be passed on to them.”
Geoff Wilson from Stainton
This is an extremely important issue and dog walkers in particular need to hear this useful information direct from farmers. A lot of what I heard tonight was new to me and very illuminating. It was really good and enjoyed by everyone who attended.”