Hampshire Police Warn Dog Walkers: Keep Your Pets on Leads or Face Prosecution!
Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch team has issued a no-nonsense warning to dog owners: keep your dogs on leads in rural areas — or risk prosecution.
Livestock Attacks on the Rise in East Hants and Isle of Wight
Officers have seen a spike in incidents across East Hampshire where dogs, off their leads and out of control, have chased or attacked livestock and wild animals. The problem is growing on the Isle of Wight too.
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, it’s a criminal offence for dogs to worry livestock. Owners can be prosecuted, and farmers are legally allowed to shoot dogs to stop attacks.
Police Crackdown: Patrols and Drones to Tackle Dog Attacks
As the weather warms up and Covid restrictions ease, Country Watch is stepping up patrols in hotspot areas. They’ll also deploy drones to monitor trouble spots and prevent further livestock attacks.
Dog Walking Dos and Don’ts
- Keep your dog on a lead or under close control at all times in rural areas.
- If no livestock are present, always keep your dog in sight and be confident it will come back when called.
- Don’t let dogs stray off paths or areas where you have right of access.
Rural and Wildlife Crime Officer Ian Bassett said: “These incidents are unfortunately common in rural areas. Livestock worrying causes serious financial damage to farmers, through injury treatment or loss of animals.
“We urge dog owners to stay in control, know where their dogs are, and ensure they return when called. This will help cut down on attacks that cause suffering and stress to animals, which has huge impacts on farming businesses.”
“If you see anything suspicious, dial 101 or report it online. In an emergency, call 999 immediately.”
For more on countryside rules, visit The Countryside Code.
