With the arrival of spring and summer days on their way, pet owners are heading out and about on countryside walks with their dogs. The question I am asking is: should we be letting our dogs off the lead? Especially because there is now a new law in England and Wales where dog owners could face unlimited fines and could see their dogs taken away, to better protect farm animals from attacks.
Increased reports of livestock incidents is just one of the arguments as to why dogs are best kept on the lead; we can keep them safe from traffic and danger, wildlife disturbance, chasing wildlife and can avoid unwanted interactions with people or other dogs to name a few.
So, here is what we do know:
- As of the 18th of March 2026, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has increased the maximum fine for livestock worrying from £1,000 to an unlimited amount in England and Wales.
- Police now have enhanced powers to seize dogs suspected of attacking livestock and to enter premises to secure evidence, such as DNA samples.
- The law now covers more animals, including llamas, alpacas, and farmed deer.
- Under new regulations, a dog does not need to make physical contact to commit an offense; simply chasing or causing distress to livestock is enough, particularly on public roads or rights of way through farmland.
Surveys have shown that 51% of dog owners believe dogs should be on leads in all public spaces, however, some dog owners feel that they should have the right to let dogs run free in open spaces. Recent data shows off-lead dogs cause 20% more disturbance to wildlife in protected areas and four times more disruption to ground-nesting birds.
But what about your friendly, obedient dog, with their good recall? Are they able to get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and socialisation? Off-lead time is crucial for dogs to behave naturally, sniff, explore, and get proper cardiovascular exercise.
They have better opportunities to interact with other dogs which can be key to social development and welfare. As well as the fact that structured, off-lead training can improve a dogs recall and responsiveness to its owner.
We think the debate between keeping dogs on or off lead, centres on balancing a dog’s need for freedom and exercise with public safety and courtesy. The most important factor in letting a dog off lead is a consistent, reliable recall which is often difficult for dogs with strong prey drives. There is also consideration for others: not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and an uncontrolled, even friendly dog jumping on a stranger can be considered “dangerous” control.
So, for those who are not sure what is best practice, to balance these perspectives, experts and communities often suggest the following:
- Secure Dog fields or private, rented fields offer an excellent solution for owners who want to give their dogs off-lead time without the risk of public spaces.
- The ‘golden rule’ of etiquette: if you see another dog on a lead, immediately put your dog on a lead and recall them to a “heel” position to show respect for the other dog’s space.
- Reliable Recall is mandatory!
- Use of a long line can be seen as a good compromise, giving the dog freedom to sniff and move while the owner maintains physical control.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on the dog’s behaviour, the specific environment, and adherence to local laws, aiming for a safe and respectful experience for everyone.
Please see the link below for more information/advice on walking in the countryside:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code-advice-for-countryside-visitors
