Sir Edward Garnier, the MP for Harborough, has asked dog walkers in his constituency to pay particular attention to the concerns of livestock farmers this summer and to be mindful of their own safety.
Speaking after one of his regular visits to the Market Harborough branch of the National Farmers’ Union the MP said:
“Now that the weather is at last improving it is natural for people to want to take their dogs for walks in the country and across farm land. I do though urge them to be particularly careful to make sure that they shut gates behind them so that sheep, cattle and horses are not put in danger and that they keep their dogs on leads when walking through fields with livestock in them. Even though they may not realise it and they intend no harm, failing to prevent a dog from chasing livestock around a field or from causing them alarm could cause serious injury to the animals. There is also a risk that cattle, for example, will charge the dog or its owner – and that could be fatal.
“Farmers welcome people on their land so long as they respect the delicate nature of the relationship between man and beast. Please keep to designated footpaths and rights of way but please also understand that these fields are places of work and industry. You would not expect people to wander carelessly around in a factory where there is a lot of potentially dangerous machinery and the same applies to a field full of livestock. Common sense and respect for the farmers and their livestock is not too much to ask for.”
For further advice contact Tom Shepherd of the NFU at Tom_Shepherd@nfumutual.co.uk or on 01858 462878.