Guide when out and about in Lamberhurst
with your dog
Currently there are no local restrictions in place when walking your dog in and around Lamberhurst. The Parish council currently support letting dogs run, however if complaints regarding out of control dogs from residents being injured or in fear of being injured, or from local farmers with livestock being killed or injured continue to rise the Parish council will have no hesitation in bringing in Public Space protection orders where appropriate.
Dog owners should read and respect the following guidelines
Dog Fouling
You must scoop that poop in public places. Dog poop that is not cleaned up can cause illness in people, livestock and wild animals. If you can't find a rubbish bin while out and about then you need to take the poo bags home with you and use your own bin.
It might seem like not much harm has been done, but canine faeces can contain parasites that, if not cleaned up, can spread to grass. If this grass is eaten it can cause pregnant cattle to lose their young, as well as blindness in humans.
Owners of assistance dogs who have a disability that prevents them from picking up poo, for example a Guide Dog walked by a registered blind person, are exempt from these rules.
It might seem like not much harm has been done, but canine faeces can contain parasites that, if not cleaned up, can spread to grass. If this grass is eaten it can cause pregnant cattle to lose their young, as well as blindness in humans.
Owners of assistance dogs who have a disability that prevents them from picking up poo, for example a Guide Dog walked by a registered blind person, are exempt from these rules.
Dogs on Leads
There is no blanket law requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in all public spaces. However, there are a series of orders that mean you have to leash your dog in certain places in your local area, for example children’s play areas, sports pitches, roads, parks and beaches.
Lambehurst Parish council expect all dogs to be kept on the lead when walking on the roads around the village and when in proximity of the childrens play area in Chequers field
Lambehurst Parish council expect all dogs to be kept on the lead when walking on the roads around the village and when in proximity of the childrens play area in Chequers field
Out of control in a public place
Dogs must not be allowed to be ‘dangerously out of control’, which means injuring someone or making someone fear they may be injured. This applies to any breed or type of dog.
A dog could also be considered out of control if it attacks someone’s animal, or if the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal
See Gov.UK Website Controlling your dog in Public
A dog could also be considered out of control if it attacks someone’s animal, or if the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal
See Gov.UK Website Controlling your dog in Public
Dogs and Livestock
Dogs should not be allowed to ‘worry’ livestock. This means owners must prevent dogs from attacking livestock, chasing livestock, or being out of control off lead in a field containing sheep. Even if your dog does not bite livestock, chasing or barking at them can cause pregnant animals to lose their young through stress.
When walking in the countryside or other areas where you’re likely to come across cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, we recommend keeping your dog on a lead. Be particularly wary of farm animals with their young.
The Countryside Code states: "On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1 March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no livestock on the land. These are legal requirements."
If you feel threatened or are chased by livestock, then let go of the lead for your own safety. It’s usually the dog they see as a threat rather than you and most dogs can easily outrun a cow. If you are walking across farmland where you can see livestock, or even if you think sheep, cattle, goats or other animals may be nearby, it’s really important to put your dog on a lead.Even if your pet does not usually chase, they may become excited by unusual smells, sounds or movements and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, on 'access land', dogs must be kept on a lead that's no more than two metres long at all times around livestock.
Remember A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock.
When walking in the countryside or other areas where you’re likely to come across cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, we recommend keeping your dog on a lead. Be particularly wary of farm animals with their young.
The Countryside Code states: "On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1 March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no livestock on the land. These are legal requirements."
If you feel threatened or are chased by livestock, then let go of the lead for your own safety. It’s usually the dog they see as a threat rather than you and most dogs can easily outrun a cow. If you are walking across farmland where you can see livestock, or even if you think sheep, cattle, goats or other animals may be nearby, it’s really important to put your dog on a lead.Even if your pet does not usually chase, they may become excited by unusual smells, sounds or movements and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, on 'access land', dogs must be kept on a lead that's no more than two metres long at all times around livestock.
Remember A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock.
Identification
All Dogs need to have two forms of identification when in a public place - microchipping and a collar with a tag.
Microchipping
All dogs must be microchipped, and the owner’s details must be registered on one of the authorised databases. The law applies to dogs and puppies over the age of eight weeks. Exemptions are available if a vet believes there is a valid health reason not to microchip a dog. The vet must issue the owner with a certificate of exemption in this instance. Owners are required to keep their pets’ details up to date, for example if they move house. If you rehome your dog to someone else, you must give the new owner the correct microchip registration paperwork so that they can contact the database and register as the dog’s new owner.
Collar and tag
All pet dogs must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address on it when in a public place. The owner's details can be inscribed on the collar itself or on a tag attached to the collar. Even if your dog is microchipped, they still need to wear a collar or tag. Exemptions apply for some working dogs. It’s up to the owner whether or not to put their telephone number on the collar or tag as well, but we recommend you add your mobile number so you can be contacted at any time in case your dog goes missing.
See Gov.uk Website get your dog microchipped
Microchipping
All dogs must be microchipped, and the owner’s details must be registered on one of the authorised databases. The law applies to dogs and puppies over the age of eight weeks. Exemptions are available if a vet believes there is a valid health reason not to microchip a dog. The vet must issue the owner with a certificate of exemption in this instance. Owners are required to keep their pets’ details up to date, for example if they move house. If you rehome your dog to someone else, you must give the new owner the correct microchip registration paperwork so that they can contact the database and register as the dog’s new owner.
Collar and tag
All pet dogs must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address on it when in a public place. The owner's details can be inscribed on the collar itself or on a tag attached to the collar. Even if your dog is microchipped, they still need to wear a collar or tag. Exemptions apply for some working dogs. It’s up to the owner whether or not to put their telephone number on the collar or tag as well, but we recommend you add your mobile number so you can be contacted at any time in case your dog goes missing.
See Gov.uk Website get your dog microchipped