The breeding season for moorland birds on Dartmoor coincides with the lambing season and, with the arrival of spring, the moorland will be full of new life, so it is particularly important for all of us to be Moor aware.
Many visitors and local people exercise their dogs when enjoying Dartmoor. Although a dog may not be actively chasing livestock, its presence can still cause disturbance. During the lambing and calving season, expecting ewes or cows are particularly vulnerable. A frightened animal may abort or abandon its young – a tragedy for the animal and a financial loss to the farmer.
The worrying of livestock by dogs is a year round concern and the law requires that dogs be kept under close control at all times. It is a criminal offence for dogs to worry livestock. The dog owner can be fined and in some cases have their dog destroyed.
During the bird breeding and lambing season - March, April, May, June and July, you can minimise disturbance to ground nesting birds and ensure livestock are safe by:
- keeping to tracks and paths as much as possible;
- keeping your dog on a lead - especially as most lambing takes place at the same time that birds are nesting – (this specific advice is also given in the Countryside Code);
- avoiding young birds on the ground or distressed parent birds, by walking around the area and moving away quickly, allowing the parents to return;
- spreading the word by telling others how they can help too.
Young animals are often at the roadside and when vehicles approach may run across the road to join parents. It is important to be Moor aware when driving and keep speeds down to enable safe stopping.
If you see a young animal which appears to be on its own out on the moor, please do not attempt to move it. You may be separating it from its parent which may be grazing some distance away and will return.
The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society (jointly with the Dartmoor Commoners' Council) funds the work of Livestock Protection Officer, Karla McKechnie, who is on emergency call-out to deal with incidents of sheep worrying, dog attacks, casualties from road traffic accidents and livestock in distress on Dartmoor. Call her on 07873 587 561 to report an incident. For further information visit www.dlps.org.uk or www.dartmoor.gov.uk