Warning to dog owners - farmers will shoot dogs on their lands

Timely reminder!

Please, everybody - keep your dogs on a lead when going through fields with livestock anywhere near!

Yes, please do! Farmers have the right to protect their livestock - and their livelihoods - against threats from dogs. It won't hurt you or your dog just to keep them on a lead around livestock. Even if you use an extendable or long line!

Many farmers (rightly or wrongly) are trigger happy this time of year.  

Yes, they are. Lambing season!

Very timely reminder Eleanor. Even if your dog is bomb-proof around sheep the farmer will take no chances.

When I was a child my friend got a puppy, and as was not unusual in those days it was allowed to wander around outside. The puppy wandered to the only sheep farm in the area, only half a mile away, and was shot. I'll never forget that poor little boy's distress, I can see him now running into his house in floods of tears when he was told.

It is just NOT worth the risk.

It must be such an awful thing to go through.

How terrible for the poor boy, and of course the poor pup!

I hope people are going to be sensible this year!