The National Farmers Union Scotland is warning people to take extra care around livestock whilst walking their dogs in the countryside.
Cattle may see dogs as a threat and react aggressively or panic when they have dependent young calves nearby.
Walkers can follow this advice to help keep them safe whilst enjoying the countryside:
- Don’t take a dog into a field where there are calves, lambs and other young animals.
- Walk through a neighbouring field or on the land next to it.
- In more open country, keep your dog on a short lead if young livestock are around and keep your distance from them.
- If you find yourself in a field with livestock and young, make your way out by the shortest route to avoid getting closer to the animals.
- Avoid separating a cow from her calf, or scaring livestock into running away.
- If cattle show signs of being aggressive, keep calm, let go of your dog and take the shortest, safest route out of the field.
- Survival chances for humans and dogs are far better if the dog is let go to escape on its own.
- Make sure that your dog does not chase or worry livestock by keeping it on a short (two metres or less) lead or close at heel which means close at heel and able to respond to your commands.
- People and dogs are at risk, but so are livestock. Dogs may harm livestock by distressing them. A dog could cause injury by, for example, chasing cattle, which could then damage and break through fences.
- For more information on this issue and outdoor access rights in Scotland, click here.