Ramblers Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates have joined forces to remind dog walkers to take care around cows with calves, following a number of recent incidents where walkers have been injured.
Helen Todd, Development Officer with Ramblers Scotland commented: “At the height of summer there is nothing better for most dog owners than getting out into Scotland’s wonderful countryside for a nice walk with your dog. Summer is also the time that you’ll see cows out in the fields grazing with their young calves at foot. However, walkers need to be aware that dogs and cows with calves are not a great mix, and everyone should make sure they are aware of the dangers and how best to avoid them.”
Anne Gray, Policy Officer with Scottish Land & Estates commented: “Cattle are generally placid, if somewhat inquisitive, animals that won’t act aggressively unless provoked. However females are naturally protective of their young calves. A dog, no matter how well behaved, entering their field will be seen as a threat to the calves. The females of a herd will more than likely become agitated and chase the dog with the aim of getting it out of their field as quickly as they can. This is where problems can occur, since a dog will often run to its owner or the owner will pick up the dog to protect it. At that point the owner becomes the focus of the cows’ attention and the consequences can be very unpleasant as various recent reports of cattle attacks testify.”
Dog walkers have a number of responsibilities which are set out in Scottish Access Code. In summary, when livestock are present or in areas where ground nesting birds live, dogs should be kept under tight control which means on a short lead or walking at heel. This would usually apply to fields with livestock, open croftland used for grazing and open moorland, grassland, loch shores and seashore between April and July in relation to ground nesting birds.