Published Date: Mar 8th, 2024
Fife Council is asking dog walkers to ‘Take the Lead’ through its new campaign that encourages people to keep their pets under control when out in the countryside and in open spaces.
The Take the Lead campaign, in partnership with Police Scotland and supported by the NFU (National Farmers Union), asks dog walkers to be considerate and responsible when out and about. Dogs that are off the lead can disturb sheep, new-born lambs, ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.
The campaign launch event is scheduled to take place at Falkland Estate on Tuesday, March 12, from 11 am to 2 pm. Representatives from the Council's Safer Communities Team and Police Scotland will provide advice and information on safe dog walking.
The event will be held at the Falkland Gateway car park at Pillars of Hercules from 11am, and advice will also be available at the Stables from 12:30 pm onwards.
The "Take the Lead" campaign stresses the importance of keeping dogs under control in various situations. To have safe and happy dog walks, pets must be under control. Key advice is to:
- Keep a short lead with you and use it when needed (e.g. around livestock, wildlife and ground nesting birds or where signage requests it)
- Do not let your dog off the lead unless you keep it in sight and close enough to come back to you on command
- Keep your dog on the lead if it has poor recall
- Prevent your dog from approaching horse riders, cyclists, or other people and their dogs
- 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
- Never let your dog worry or chase wildlife or livestock.
The campaign is also asking dog owners and walkers to bag and bin their dog’s poo. Worms and diseases from dog waste can infect people, livestock and wildlife. By bagging up dog poo and placing it in any public waste bin, or your bin at home, will help protect local wildlife and areas.
Jacqui Leigh, Safer Communities Project Officer, Fife Council, said: “We know that most dog walkers are responsible and help to look after our wildlife and countryside. We are reminding dog owners and walkers to keep their dogs on leads and encouraging people to stick to designated paths so that livestock and wildlife remain undisturbed in the countryside.
“Parks and other open spaces are also home to wildlife, so people should be vigilant and put their dog on a lead when they are out and about, if the dog may chase wildlife or does not have good recall.”
Detective Inspector, Stuart Hunter, Police Scotland, said:
"Failing to keep your dog under control is a crime and could result in a significant fine or even imprisonment. It is the dog owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog is on a lead and under control when wildlife or livestock are present.
"Police Scotland is committed to working with its partners to increase public awareness of the legislation to protect wildlife and livestock from dog attacks and irresponsible dog owners will be prosecuted.”
Councillor Linda Erskine, Fife Council spokesperson for Communities and Leisure, said:
“Fife’s countryside is a fantastic place to walk dogs, and we encourage dog owners to take advantage of that. However, we want all dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs, and always keep them under control.
“This campaign encourages dog owners to not take chances, and to keep their dogs on leads when around wildlife and livestock, particularly, in the spring when pregnant and young livestock are most vulnerable.
“Through the ‘Take the Lead’ campaign, we urge owners that are unsure about their dogs' reactions to wildlife, livestock, and other dogs, to take the lead and keep their dogs under control.”
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and dog owners could be liable for prosecution or a fine. By following Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code, avoiding fields with livestock, following signs, and keeping dogs on leads, the issue can be avoided.
Throughout 2024, Fife Council's Safer Communities Team will run ‘Take the Lead’ days of action at various venues, providing essential advice on keeping dogs, the countryside, and open spaces, safe.
Upcoming "Take the Lead" Days of Action:
Pittencrieff Park Thursday, March 28, 10:00-15:00
Lochore Meadows Wednesday, April 10, 11:00-14:00
Blairadam Forest Thursday, April 18, 11:00-14:00
Tentsmuir Wednesday, May 1, 11:00-14:00
Pittencrieff Park Tuesday, July 23, 11:00-14:00
Tentsmuir Wednesday, September 18, 11:00-14:00
If you see a dog out of control, Fife Council’s Dog Control Team can be contacted via safercommunities.team@fife.gov.uk or by phoning 03451 55 00 22. If a dog is dangerously out of control, report it to the Police by calling 101.