We've done a fair amount of training with him, but no way could I trust him in a field of sheep off-lead. Last time, though, the sheep chased us. I'm sure one of them had an evil glint in his eye.
Oops, I think that makes it sound like "last time we walked through a field with him off-lead", which isn't what I meant! He was on his lead when they chased us. We guessed that they might have been expecting to be fed.
Chris, I was interested in your comments about sheep being worried/having miscarriages even with a dog on a lead, not barking, 500 feet away. Is it the presence of the dog that causes the problem, or would humans passing have the same effect?
Having the chance to let the woofer off the lead is one of the criteria I'm now expected to add to my walk-planning algorithm-thingy. Unfortunately my maps don't seem to show where the sheep are.
Jon, from what I have read and been told its the presence of the dogs.. one person even went so far as to say that ewe's can drop a lamb at simply the sight of a dog.. I thought was maybe going a bit far.. but then I am not a sheep farmer.
Whilst I am here.. and in dog ranting mode... anyone got any idea who built the style that goes over the wall at the bottom of Base Brown, near Sourmilk Gill? Reason I ask if someone had commissioned a style to be made that was as dangerous to dogs as could possibly be made... almost 100% certain to break legs.. they could not have come up with a better idea! It don't go up the wall, it goes along it.. and the rungs are so thin.. even a human has problems keeping their balance.. ohh and if your not sure.. the wall is about 7 feet high.. not a sniff of lifting a GSD over it. Rant over.. off to get the kids, then opticians, then leaving.. have a good one ya all........
Whatever people might think, the law is explicit, the dogs HAVE to be in the process of attacking or chasing the livestock, which is an impossibility if they are on leads!
The mere fact that they are in the vicinity of stock DOES NOT constitute "worrying" under the legislation.
All working dogs, including trained stock dogs, Police dogs, gun dogs and rescue dogs are exempt from the requirements of the act, so that should answer your query Jon!
Oh and you are right too, my sheep farming cousin rounds up his sheep en-masse at two distinct times of the year, shearing time and - LAMBING time, and he uses two sheep dogs to do it and has even invited me to "backfill" the mountain with mine whilst his dogs "flank" the flocks into a funnel!
All working dogs, including trained stock dogs, Police dogs, gun dogs and rescue dogs are exempt from the requirements of the act, so that should answer your query Jon!
whilst working, Tony...otherwise the act applies
Whatever people might think, the law is explicit, the dogs HAVE to be in the process of attacking or chasing the livestock, which is an impossibility if they are on leads!
Actually...no, the wording of the act is slightly but significantly different...worrying has to be taking place or about to...and there has to be no other way to prevent worrying except shooting the dog...
You are absolutely correct in saying that, if the dog is on a lead it is impossible to defend shooting the dog (irrespective of the obvious contraventions of firearms regulations)...in fact, it could be argued that if the dog is sufficiently close to the owner (even if not on a lead) to allow the owner to prevent worrying, then shooting the dog would still be unlawful. and allow a civil case for compensation.
