Can the farmer shoot my dog?

[Orangehorse]

Actually the Law states that dogs need to be on a lead or “otherwise under close control”.

Yes, because otherwise where would that leave gun dogs and packs of hounds?

 

[milliepops]

There are sheep that graze common land though, the sheep where I live in the forest dean were culled during F&M and reintroduced afterwards. They roam all over, in the forestry, open spaces, through the villages, verges of the main roads... they are everywhere. We fence them out, not in!

 

[ester]

Yup I'm def used to them being on common land and roads.

 

[marmalade76]

Since the last F&M outbreak in 2001, owners of sheep *have* to record everywhere their sheep have been moved to - and wandering onto public land is not allowed - hence acres and acres of moorland having been fenced to avoid having sheep wandering onto the public highway. If I owned the pup - and the story is true- I would sue the farmer who shot it, instead of rounding up her errant sheep.

I agree, if the story is as told, the owner of the sheep was absolutely in the wrong. Doesn't mean the dog is excused from chasing escsped sheep according to the posted legislation. Escaped sheep are not always from a lack of good fencing. I live in Tewkesbury where sheep are put on the flood meadows during the summer (which just so happens to be public land), they regularly get out and wander round the housing estates because people will not shut the gates. I do wonder if they do it on purpose.

 

[marmalade76]

There are sheep that graze common land though, the sheep where I live in the forest dean were culled during F&M and reintroduced afterwards. They roam all over, in the forestry, open spaces, through the villages, verges of the main roads... they are everywhere. We fence them out, not in!

Same in Castlemorton.

 

[Goldenstar]

There is no law that says any dog has the right to roam or run free. If you're on someone else's land as a right to roam or cross it and the land owner wants dogs on leads, dogs should be on leads. People have the right to roam, dogs do not.

In England the law does not state that should be on a lead , it says close control .

 

[marmalade76]

Yes, because otherwise where would that leave gun dogs and packs of hounds?

They are (usually) on private land by invitation. I allow my dog to freely run around all day on land I privately rent because I have permission from my landlord, I wouldn't allow her to do that on anyone else's land.

 

[Clodagh]

Slightly off topic, but dogs off leads in general i hate.

My little girl (who's 6) is scared off dogs and when we go out for walks and dogs off leads come running up to us and my little girl is hiding behind me, terrified and wanting to be picked up. The owners goes 'oh its friendly, dont worry' and i think to myself, your dog is not much shorter than face height to her, its come running/bouncing straight up to her, how is that friendly or even pleasant?

My son (who was 2 at the time) had a small dog come running up behind him, it made him jump and he accidentally kicked it (opps)

Those dogs are not under close control, a lead is needed if people can’t control their dogs. Which is a lot of them.
My mum ended up in A&E when a friendly collie jumped up at her. Same dog knocked my small son flat on his face another time.
I had a chat with her and now it’s walked on a lead.

 

[marmalade76]

In England the law does not state that should be on a lead , it says close control .

Indeed. But we're talking about private property here, not pavements, council parks, etc, but privately owned property that the public have only have a right to cross and if the owner of the property says dogs should be on leads, dogs should be on leads.

 

[Goldenstar]

They can ask you but legally there’s nothing they can do .
Clearly you would be a pratt not to put your dog on a leader if asked .

 

[Moobli]

Those dogs are not under close control, a lead is needed if people can’t control their dogs. Which is a lot of them.
My mum ended up in A&E when a friendly collie jumped up at her. Same dog knocked my small son flat on his face another time.
I had a chat with her and now it’s walked on a lead.

One thing I have learned through owning large dogs that many people perceive as “scary” is that it costs nothing to pop the dog on a lead when passing other people. Not everyone likes dogs or may have a legitimate fear for many reasons.

 

[marmalade76]

They can ask you but legally there’s nothing they can do .
Clearly you would be a pratt not to put your dog on a leader if asked .

That's the problem, so many dog owners are prats and think their dogs have a right to be running around doing what they like with the excuse that "they're friendly" and "wouldn't hurt a fly".

 

[blackcob]

I think we've circled back round to the recent discussion in another thread of dogs on leads as a sort of performative act? You might know that your dog won't chase livestock, approach people etc. but those around you don't, and in many cases will have plenty of evidence that dogs frequently do these things and have reason to be confrontational or fearful. It really does cost nothing to just clip the lead on for a minute as an unequivocal signal that your dog won't be doing those things.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think we've circled back round to the recent discussion in another thread of dogs on leads as a sort of performative act? You might know that your dog won't chase livestock, approach people etc. but those around you don't, and in many cases will have plenty of evidence that dogs frequently do these things and have reason to be confrontational or fearful. It really does cost nothing to just clip the lead on for a minute as an unequivocal signal that your dog won't be doing those things.

This is it. I was brought up with a breed that a lot of people are scared of. I owe it to the reputation of the breed not to set a bad example. It's not just about me and my dogs and that's been drummed into me since childhood.

 

[Clodagh]

BTW I do put mine on leads to pass other people, unless we are in a big field when I sit them up well off the path.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I think we've circled back round to the recent discussion in another thread of dogs on leads as a sort of performative act? You might know that your dog won't chase livestock, approach people etc. but those around you don't, and in many cases will have plenty of evidence that dogs frequently do these things and have reason to be confrontational or fearful. It really does cost nothing to just clip the lead on for a minute as an unequivocal signal that your dog won't be doing those things.

Exactly.

I don't know why people are so offended by putting their dog on a leash. Is it an ego thing? Is it that you want people to see how well your dog is trained (in that you don't need a leash)? Or you just feel as though you shouldn't have to?

My dog is often off leash because we walk in the forest and along paths that border fields during times when no one else is really out. The minute I see another person and/or animal. I call her and put her on a leash. Simple. They pass and she can go off the leash again.

If it is someone I know, such as my neighbor (her #1 fan) that likes to visit with her, I keep her off and she sits next to where I am standing. I could never imagine letting her go up to someone's child off the leash! People are way too comfortable or confident...or maybe stupid, I don't know.

 

[rara007]

They’d have to be a good shot to shoot a dog walking to heel and be 100% at avoiding the person which would give them a very big headache with the law.
fwiw I don’t see that it’s worth not doing what the land owner requests. If the dog really needs a run (and by default won’t be at heel!) then someone else’s or public land or on a long line is going to cause less of a headache.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Just leaving this here....




(Friction burn in 3...2....1)

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Just leaving this here....

View attachment 70989


(Friction burn in 3...2....1)

I wouldn't have expected anything else, if I'd thought about it!

 

[Jackie12]

The farmer would be allowed to shoot the dog if it was on his land. Farmers really do struggle with livestock attacks, so probably had a reason to what he was saying. I don't think he would be able to shoot it if you are with it. But if it wandered off on it's own on his land he potentially would.

 

[Moobli]

The farmer would be allowed to shoot the dog if it was on his land. Farmers really do struggle with livestock attacks, so probably had a reason to what he was saying. I don't think he would be able to shoot it if you are with it. But if it wandered off on it's own on his land he potentially would.

No the farmer wouldn't have a right to shoot a dog for wandering on his land. Farmers have a defence if they shoot a dog that is in the act of worrying livestock. They should attempt other means to stop the dog worrying the stock and if that is unsuccessful then they have the defence as mentioned earlier.