Friends of the Gower Commons

15/04/2026

Did you know that, by law, dogs need to be kept on a lead on open access land from 1 March until 31 July? 🗓️

This gives ground-nesting birds the vital protection they need during their breeding season. 🪶

Use a lead around livestock all year round, to keep both dogs and livestock safe. 🐑

With dog poo – always bag it and bin it, or take it home if you can’t find a bin. 🚮

Thank you for following the Dog Walking Code (link below).🐕‍🦺

12/04/2026

LAMBING SEASON – LEGAL NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS

Lambing season is now underway. This is a critical period for farmers, with pregnant ewes and newborn lambs extremely vulnerable to disturbance, stress, injury, and loss.

Dog owners are reminded that livestock worrying is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, as strengthened by the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which updates and reinforces existing powers and penalties.

Under the updated law:

• A dog does not need to make physical contact with livestock for an offence to occur — chasing, alarming, or causing stress to livestock constitutes worrying
• The definition of livestock has been expanded to include animals such as alpacas and llamas
• Offences can occur on public footpaths, roads, and any land where livestock are present
• Courts now have the power to impose unlimited fines
• Police have strengthened powers relating to seizure of dogs and evidence gathering

Livestock worrying can have devastating consequences, including miscarriages, severe injury, and death of animals.

📞 Reporting

If you witness a dog actively worrying livestock and it cannot be stopped, this is an emergency and a criminal offence — call 999 immediately.

Non-emergency incidents should be reported via 101.

Legal Responsibilities When Walking Near Livestock

• Dogs must be kept on a lead and under strict control in fields containing livestock
• Public rights of way must be followed at all times
• Gates must be left exactly as found
• Properties bordering grazing land must be secure to prevent dogs escaping
• Do not approach, pet, or interfere with young animals
• Be aware that cattle, particularly cows with calves, may behave protectively
• If threatened by cattle while with a dog, release the lead to allow both you and the dog to reach safety

Dog owners must also bag and properly dispose of dog waste. Dog faeces can carry the parasite Neospora caninum, which can cause abortions in cattle. Discarded waste bags may be eaten by livestock or incorporated into silage, resulting in serious illness and prolonged suffering.

These are not optional guidelines — they are legal responsibilities.

Failure to comply may result in prosecution, significant financial penalties, and further legal action.

Act responsibly.

https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/18/law-changes-strengthen-protection-for-livestock/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQLhNVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEee5Xp4DBzA-HQnjkLEVc4YJLlHkvSL3RMHCT6j1rkf8dhv7SrNzviLOGNxlE_aem_zFgxCDEb04qGl3GeWEBuUA

https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/18/law-changes-strengthen-protection-for-livestock/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQLhNVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEee5Xp4DBzA-HQnjkLEVc4YJLlHkvSL3RMHCT6j1rkf8dhv7SrNzviLOGNxlE_aem_zFgxCDEb04qGl3GeWEBuUA

07/04/2026

The road crossing Cefn Bryn is currently closed due to a common fire!🔥
Please avoid the area!

06/04/2026

📢 Notice for Upper Killay Residents

The fence adjoining the common is currently not in place. Both the commoners and the Community Council are aware of the situation. Responsibility for maintaining the fence lies with the Community Council, and they are actively addressing the issue. Quotes have been obtained, and arrangements are in progress.

In the meantime, please be aware that animals from the common may have free access into Upper Killay.

Legally, these animals are permitted to graze within a “reasonable” distance from the common, and several areas within Upper Killay are registered common land. This means they are within their rights to be present.

It’s also worth noting that the speed limit in Upper Killay is 20 mph (compared to 40 mph beyond the cattle grid), so in some respects the animals are actually safer within this area.

We kindly ask for your patience and understanding while the situation is being resolved.

Thank you.

‼️RIGHT TO ROAM‼️

It’s very sad to see so many posts regarding the free roaming animals and people not wanting them to roam. Years ago before the cattle grids were fitted these animals roamed our villages. We lived in “rural” areas and farming provided jobs and benefited communities and more importantly fed people. The law states that the free roaming animals have a right to roam in a “reasonable” distance from the grazing areas. Residents in these villages such as Reynoldston, Llangennith, Llanmadoc, Pennard and Penclawdd build walls around their homes and fences with gates so the free roaming animals didn’t enter their properties. Estates such as Apple grove were built with cattle grids so the animals didn’t enter their estate and their gardens could be open without fencing. The law firmly states that if you don’t want these animals to enter your garden then to fence them out.
The adjoining gardens and properties to the commons have access to the common which is their “right”. The commoners CANT fence against that property as it prevents the property having access to the common. The only person who can fence it is the property owner on his own boundary. Because of this, people for what ever reason don’t fence their boundaries, leave gates open etc and the animals roam off the common.
It’s a loosing battle in several areas and the liability lies with the land owners of these properties as it’s their responsibility. People move to these “rural” areas and we wonder why? The people don’t like the free roaming animals. They won’t fix their fences and then blame the farmers who have the right. The abuse some of the farmers get on the social media is disgusting. The old farming ways are depleting, the old rural life is disappearing. People seem to want to see open fields and pretty flowers but they don’t want to see the animals who play an enormous part in the preservation of “Gower”.
Gower is sadly becoming less rural by the day and each and everyone of us play a part in its preservation. Please fence your boundaries, please help keep Gower rural so our grandchildren and their grandchildren can enjoy the amazing countryside we have around us….. once it’s gone it won’t come back please fence your garden, close the gate or fence your property. If your in doubt as to which fence will keep the stock out then please seek advice from a fencer who deals with animals and knows what is strong enough or high enough to contain stock!
The animals who have access and graze certain areas have a “right to roam” in “reasonable” distance around these areas please enjoy them, you are living in a rural area. If you are lucky enough to live in these areas be aware of the possibility they could be on the roads and cut your speed!
During high tides you will see the animals quite often move out of the Marshes and graze in the villages then returning to their grazing areas this is something they have done for many many years. There are no cattle grids on the marshes and the animals have a right to roam the adjoining areas as it’s classed as “reasonable distance”.

Enjoy them being there, enjoy being lucky enough to live in such a wonderful place, preserve Gower please 🙏

Note:Please remember upper killay, Bishopston and the Mayals areas the animals have a right to roam in the “reasonable distance” The areas where these animals are grazing on eg the playing fields, verges etc are actually still registered as common land. Just because the cattle grid prevents them from wandering (and when the fences are fixed, properties fence properly and gates are kept closed) it doesn’t mean they don’t have a right to be there because legally they do!
Please understand what you are actually saying before taking to social media no laws are being broken !
Please stop attacking the owners of these animals they are “free to roam”. If you don’t want them on your property then please fence them out. If you don’t want to see them then it maybe worth looking for a more suitable place to live in a non rural area?

Plus it’s 20mph in upper killay, Bishopston, Three crosses, Penclawdd, Mayals etc…. it’s 40mph on the common!! Where are they really safer? 🤔

24/03/2026

🔥Gower’s Common fires 🔥

Controlled burning is a regulated and carefully managed process. Any farmer undertaking a controlled burn must apply to Natural Resources Wales, providing detailed information including a map of the area, vegetation type, a full risk assessment, and confirmation of sufficient personnel to manage and extinguish the fire if required. The local fire service must also be notified in advance.

Strict criteria must be met before any controlled burn takes place, including appropriate wind speed and direction, manageable fire load, and the presence of adequate firebreaks.

Unfortunately, the majority of fires currently occurring across Gowers commons are believed to be acts of arson. The Gower Commoners’ Association is working closely with the local authority and fire service, and significant efforts are underway.

If you witness anyone deliberately starting a fire, please contact the police immediately.
999 Emergency 101 non emergency

Warning signs have been placed previously at cattle grids, and police patrols are ongoing.

We all have a role to play in protecting our commons. Thank you for your vigilance and support.

23/03/2026

Rural Crime | Your dog, your responsibility.

PC Chadwick from the Gower Neighbourhood policing team explains the new amendments to the Protection of Livestock Act.

On the March 18 2026, new legislation came into force across England and Wales to tackle livestock worrying by dogs. We now have access to much tougher penalties and improved police powers.

In summary, an offence can be committed if your dog:

• Attacks livestock
• Chases livestock (no contact required)

Remember, your dog chasing or frightening animals is enough to commit an offence.

The law now includes:

• Fields (farmland)
• Public footpaths
• Roads and rights of way near livestock

Livestock includes sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, but now also includes alpacas, llamas, horses, ponies, donkeys, farmed deer and enclosed game birds (e.g. pheasants, partridges, grouse).

Sanctions now include:

• Unlimited fines (previously capped at £1,000)
• Dogs can be seized by the police
• Police can enter land/property to investigate
• DNA and evidence can be collected
• Owners can be ordered to pay costs including kennelling

This law is about to protecting farm animals, preventing suffering, and supporting our farmers.

You can easily avoid this type of crime, and not put your dog at risk too, as farmers have the legal right to shoot any dogs who are in the act of attacking and worrying livestock.

We all love dogs so please keep your dogs on leads when walking in the countryside and especially around cattle. The last thing we want is dogs being shot for something that could have been easily avoided.

19/03/2026

🐴 🐑🌿 Important Message for Our Village Communities 🌿🐎

Owners of the free-roaming animals are asking for your help.
While grass bags left out for refuse collection may seem harmless, they can pose a serious risk to animals such as sheep and horses that roam freely in our villages.

Grass cuttings and certain plants can be highly toxic. There have been several cases over the years of sheep being poisoned and horses becoming seriously ill — and sadly, some animals have died after consuming this type of waste.

If you are putting bags out for collection, please try to keep them covered, place them in a secure spot, or put them out as late as possible before collection to reduce the risk.

A small action can make a big difference in protecting these animals.

🙏 Please be mindful and help keep our community — and its animals — safe.