County Voice

Spring 2018

Taking the Lead on dogs in the open countryside

The Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty have joined forces to launch a brand new campaign, encouraging people to keep their animals on lead in the county’s open countryside.Take the Lead Launch

The Take the Lead campaign is now in its second year and is being launched ahead of the start of the holiday season this Easter.  The campaign is targeting local residents and visitors to the countryside and wants to build on the success of last year’s initiative.

The campaign will include the production of videos that will be shared on social media, as well as features in the local media and online. 

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “We were delighted by the success of last year’s campaign and it seemed that people were listening to the message. We saw far more people acting responsibly and taking their dogs on leads in the countryside – we thank them for their efforts.Take the Lead Skip

“However this is a kind of message that needs to be repeated time and time again to gain its maximum impact, so we will be sharing our campaign messages with locals and visitors and encourage the small minority who flout the law to take action.

“We have seen some incidents where sheep have been injured or killed as a result of attacks from dogs off their leads. This is what we need to avoid and by working together with dog owners, we can really make a difference”.

“They really must be mindful that they are crossing valuable grazing land where there are sheep roaming. The effects of attacks on animals can be devastating, to the animal and to the landowner.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Chair of the Advisory Committee, said: “We appreciate why people would want to go on walks in our scenic countryside in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many walkers bring dogs with them and whilst we want that to continue, all we are asking is that people respect the Countryside Code.

“There are plenty of warning signs and information about taking dogs on leads and we will be out and about over the coming months talking to owners and sharing our message to as wide an audience as possible”.

Listen to what Ceri Lloyd, AONB Sustainable Development Officer has to say ...

Take the Lead LocationTake the Lead People

Comments

Your comments (1 comment)

  • PeterApril 04, 2018

    I understand the danger to sheep posed by dogs off the lead. We are townies thinking of re-locating to Denbighshire from overseas, partly so that our dogs could enjoy fresh air and running around as nature intended. What are the rules/laws about where/when dogs are allowed off the lead, please? Do these rules/laws apply to sheep dogs, too; and, if not, to whom, please?

    Hi Peter

    Thanks for your enquiry.

    We have a page on our website which explains a little about Dogs in Public Spaces Order ..... https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/pests-pollution-and-food-hygiene/dog-issues.aspx.  The rules apply to any dog in a public place.  Hopefully this will explain things a little better for you.  Obviously sheepdogs on their own land/fields is different whilst they're working.

    I've also included a link to our website page where dogs can go on our beaches in the north of the County ..... https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/leisure/beaches-and-lakes/dogs-on-our-beaches.aspx.

    We have a major problems with owners not being responsible for their dogs and dog waste, therefore we hope these orders will help concentrate their minds and keep our County tidy and also safe for other dog users and farm animals etc.

    Denbighshire is such a beautiful County.  We hope you decide to re-locate here.  I've also given you a link to our Discover Denbighshire website which our Tourism Team help to run.

    If there's anything else we can help with, please just ask.

    Kind regards

    Catrin

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