The Most Impactful ‘Keep Your Dog on a Lead’ Ads

Spring inspires excitement for the outdoors in most people, but for one particular group, that excitement can be tinged with anxiety. Farmers prepare for lambing season, a period which can be bone achingly tiring, as they wake at all hours to help sheep bring their little ones into the world.

Imagine how much worse this anxiety and frustration might be if farmers are also having to face people walking on or close to their land with dogs off the lead. Ewes who lose their lambs from fright or outright mauling and killing of lambs is an unpleasantly common story, and the common theme is that every dog walkers believes the same thing. ‘My dog wouldn’t do that.’ The problem is, it isn’t the dogs fault – it’s the owners’.

Today we go through some of our favourite ‘Keep your dog on a lead’ adverts to continue to inspire responsible outdoor recreation with your four legged friends.

Number 1: Right Side of Outside

This advert from OutmoreNI highlights the heartbreak owners can feel at realising their dog has savaged sheep, whilst also showcasing how unpleasant it can be for farmers to find their flock dead.

Number 2: Farm Watcher UK

An unpleasant truth is that in addition to the obvious risks to sheep from dog attacks, farmers are within their rights to shoot a dog that is worrying their flocks. This means, that even if your dog gets a case of the zoomies running up and down a field, if there are sheep there, a farmer may shoot your dog. It’s a horrible thought, but an important reminder that it is your responsibility not to let that happen.

Number 3: Sheep Worrying Advert from the Department of Agriculture in Ireland

This one gave those of us old enough to remember it nightmares. In a dark ‘Disney’ style of cartoons, several ‘good dogs’ are shown becoming monstrous savages as they approach cowering lambs and their mothers. Not one to show the young ones!

Number 4: Local Farmers Share Their Stories

This video from Mourne Heritage Trust, NI Water, National Trust and Mourne Conservation Graziers Ltd shares an important local perspective from farmers in the Mournes who have been badly affected by walkers whose dogs have been off leads, sharing stories of sheep being injured as well as several sheep and lambs being killed.

Four different perspectives on the same issue, with the same key theme. It is your responsibility to protect your dog and protect the flocks of pregnant ewes and newbown lambs, as well as a farmer’s livelihood. Please, keep your dog on a lead.