wannabe_keeper Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 On my new shooting ground we have (unfortunately) a couple of footpath routes along one of the boundaries. Although, thankfully, it is on a boundary i have already seen numerous people using the footpath and dogs running off into the nearby shaws (which are my drives!). I have 2 main questions: 1. What is the law in regards to people letting their dogs off on footpaths around livestock etc... 2. I am wanting to put up some signs to try and reduce the amount of dogs running amock and didn't know whether to go for the "keep dogs on leads, stray dogs will be shot" route or try the nicely nicely approach "please keep all dogs on leads, due to livestock in area, thank you". What is the best 'signage' to use on footpaths in your opinion? Thanks, Harry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Don't go down the dog will be shoot I've found talking to them first does work with some give them education on why dogs chasing birds brings out disease Polite signs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexfluke Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 We have the same problem near a cover crop and release pen, foot paths are not that close but people think its better to walk around the field instead of across. So will be trying two types of signs directing walkers along the correct route and informing them that it is a conservation area and to keep dogs on leads due to adders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry_o Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I think people would be more inclined to comply if you state that it is a conservation area for farmland birds or ground nesting birds. If you can talk to them then be friendly about it and say you're trying your best to support and boost their numbers. There'll always be a muppet or two that decide they think they can do whatever they want though. How you handle them is up to you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 in the woodland around my bit where they raise pheasants, the signs say please keep yourself and dogs to the footpath for your safety, 24 hour shooting/pest control in operation I aim to have the same type of signs made up for my patch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Do you have authority from the landowner to erect signs. Shooting stray dogs is illegal and I'm sure your landowner would not not be happy for such a sign to be erected. I have always found the conservation, ground nesting birds route works best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe_keeper Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Yes he has said its fine to put signs up and i didn't quite mean literally signposting the fact that ill shoot stray dogs it was more hypothetically speaking just to get the 2 sides across on whether to do nice signs or something a bit more firm. I would never threaten to shoot someones dog, nor would i do it, it was merely an exaggerated example. But thanks for the ideas i think something along the conservation areas should work. Are there any signs you can buy with this or do you guys make your own laminates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Made mine up and laminated them as the first ones I had done professionally got smashed so it's easier and cheaper to do it myself. Mine say...................Wildlife Conervation Area. Please keep to footpath and ensure dogs are on a lead. This wording seems to work the best as people seem to have caught the Spring/Autumn Watch bug ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe_keeper Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 So you think its best not to mention shooting at all. I have Microsoft word open as we speak and am contemplating printing & laminating 5x : " CAUTION! Shooting in Progress. Please Keep Dogs on a Lead and Stick To The Footpath - Thank You " OR... " This Farm is a Wildlife Zone - Please Keep Dogs on a Lead and Stick to Footpaths - Thank You " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Please keep dogs on lead as fox snares are set in this vicinity which could injure small animals. No need to set snares the warning is enough. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 One old one from way back that I've never forgotten: 'Before you and your dog stray from the path please ensure you both know the difference between an adder and a grass snake'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 another that I've seen was, please keep dogs on lead and not allow to pick items up from floor, pest control poisoning being carried out on rat infestation the conservation one sounds good though, followed up with another 20ft inside the boundary lines saying, get orf my land, blow ya bloody head orf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper23 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 NOTICE on this estate we are keen to increase the numbers of ground nesting birds and animals. To do this we ask you to keep to SIGNED FOOTPATHS and keeping DOGS ON LEADS. This will help to minimise disturbance caused and together with vermin control and habitat management we will increase numbers. Many thanks for your co-operation __________________ estate. thats the ones i put on my estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LancsGunsmith Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 (edited) Shooting stray dogs is illegal and I'm sure your landowner would not not be happy for such a sign to be erected. Dogs 14.22 Section 9 of the Animals Act 1971 provides a defence for shooting a dog if the defendant acted to protect livestock, and subsequently informs the police within forty- eight hours of the incident. The defendant can only act in defence of livestock in such a way if the livestock, or the land on which it is, belongs to them or to any other person under whose express or implied authority they are acting. Source link - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/firearms/HO-Firearms-Guidance.pdf?view=Binary (edit - text size to small) Edited March 10, 2013 by LancsGunsmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Game birds aren't livestock by law. Depends what else is on the land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Game birds aren't livestock by law. Depends what else is on the land. I thought game birds are classed as livestock when they are in a pen, but not once released? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 I thought game birds are classed as livestock when they are in a pen, but not once released? I might be wrong Colin. Thought it was neither but wouldn't be 100% on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 pheasant are classed as livestock as long as you raise them ! only not when they are wild stock then they are classed as wild life ! deffinition of livestock also covers birds ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Animals Act 1971 - Colin was quiet right. Pheasant and partridge are covered while in captivity, not when released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 By that them cows are only livestock when they're in a shed ? try looking up livestock in the dictionary ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 By that them cows are only livestock when they're in a shed ? try looking up livestock in the dictionary ! Very definitely you can't shoot dogs for worrying pheasants once released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 By that them cows are only livestock when they're in a shed ? try looking up livestock in the dictionary ! Try reading the law !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Try reading the law !! "sorry" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I've had this problem in the past and even ended up with the police being involved best thing to do is put up some dummie trail camera in places were you have a problem and make it known that they are there to catch people whos dogs are running wild and who dont end up clearing up after their animals I never had any more trouble, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyTed Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Farm near me has notices: "Trespassers will be prosecuted, Survivors will be Shot" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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