Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2017 | Page 69

Country life
MAN’S BEST FRIEND
By Sam Biles, Managing Director of country Estate Agents Biles and co
How many of us have seen the peculiar
sight of bags of dog poo hanging in
hedges, waiting for some unknown dog-
poo fairy to come and collect?
Why do people do this? It’s the worst of all worlds
adding unsightly plastic litter to the problem and
actually preventing the mess from decomposing and
being washed away. There isn’t a ‘driving test’ for dog
ownership, though there perhaps should be.
There are few things more enjoyable than walking
your dog through the Island’s beautiful countryside
but as with all good things there are associated
responsibilities – to other dog owners, farmers,
landowners and users of the countryside. Of course,
however careful you are sometimes things go wrong.
Our family pet Labrador got lost and went missing
earlier this year and to my surprise and relief he was
found using social media! We posted on “lost pets
iow” on Facebook and had a great response and which
resulted in several sightings and in him being found.
Natural England, the National Farmer’s Union &
the CLA have, with several other countryside bodies
and organisations developed the Dog Walking Code
reproduced here in its entirety. As spring approaches
with new calves in the fields the section on farm
animals is particularly pertinent as generally placid
cows become very protective of their calves.
For safe and happy walks with your dog, and to
avoid causing problems for others:
1. Ensure your dog is under effective control, which
means:
• You have a short lead with you and use it when
needed (e.g. around livestock, near cliff edges or
where signage requests it).
• You do not let your dog off the lead unless you
keep it in sight and close enough to come back to you
on command.
2. Prevent your dog from approaching horse riders,
cyclists, or other people and their dogs uninvited.
3. Keep your dog with you on paths or access land
and don’t let it stray into crops, including fields of
grass, fruit and vegetables.
4. Never let your dog worry or chase wildlife or
livestock. Follow advice on local signs to reduce
disturbance to plants and animals.
5. Stay safe around farm animals and horses:
• Stop, look and listen before entering a field; be
aware of any animals present.
• Always keep your dog on a short lead.
• Find the safest route around animals, giving
them plenty of space and using paths or access land
where possible.
• Exit the area calmly and quickly if threatened,
releasing your dog to make it easier for you both to
reach safety.
6. Always bag and bin your dog’s poo wherever you
are. You can use any public waste bin or your bin at
home.
7. Never leave bags of dog poo lying around, even
if you intend to pick them up later. Containers and
deodorised bags can make them easier to carry.
8. Ensure your details are on your dog’s collar and it
is micro-chipped, so you can be reunited quickly if it
is lost.
9. Keep your dog’s vaccinations and worming up to
date. Ask your vet for more information.
10. Contact your local authority, or look out for
signs, to get more information about what to do and
where to go in your area.
Happy & safe dog walking!
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