24/04/2026
The time of year has arrived again where spring lambs are appearing in the fields and fells. I just wanted to remind people to take extra care when you are out walking with your dog. We have had incidents where a dog has either been off their lead or has indeed been on one, but pulled away in excitement, in order to chase a sheep, resulting in the dog going missing, being injured and even a fatality. There is also a chance that you may decide to go and try and rescue your dog if it finds itself needing help, and we could end up having to rescue you as well.
Being able to see your dog enjoying the freedom of the outdoors, as well as you do, is a joy and I personally love nothing better. However, things can go awry very quickly if you are not mindful of the fact that dogs can be unpredictable around livestock, especially with the added enticement of bleating lambs to play with. Dogs which aren’t used to sheep, or aren’t trained to ignore them, could just take off without notice and, in their focussed adrenaline rush, may not hear your recall command, or choose to ignore it. The consequences can be severe for the sheep/lamb, the farmer, the dog-owner or the dog.
The answer is simple. I’m not going to say that you must keep your dog on a lead all the time, because I don’t keep mine on one unless I am walking through a field of sheep. I put her on her lead then, for two reasons, to lessen the risk of distressing the livestock and out of respect for the farmer. If you aren’t happy about having to hold the lead whilst walking because you need your hands for your walking poles, then simply attach or loop it round your rucksack waist strap. My dog is trained not to chase and has spent most of her life on the fells. Has yours?
So, if you know your dog will chase sheep, or if you do not know for sure, or have any doubt whatsoever, no matter how tiny that doubt is, or how your dog will react when it sees sheep, then please for the sheep’s sake, the farmer’s sake, your sake and your dog’s sake, keep it on a lead.
Thank you.
Janice Hamilton
Coniston Team Leader
