Dogs should be on leads around wildlife, say campaigners
Dog owners are being urged to clean up after their pets after a wildlife organisation reported two cows had suffered aborted pregnancies.
Surrey Wildlife Trust has issued the appeal to owners in bid to stop dangerous diseases such as neosporosis which can cause cows to abort their calves.
The disease is transmitted via eggs in dog faeces which can leach into the soil where cows graze. Cattle then become infected and the disease can be passed to calves which may be abort. However, calves may also be born with no apparent signs until they become pregnant, potentially leading to abortion or birth of congenitally infected calves.
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James Herd, director of reserves management at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said: "Keeping dogs under control and making sure you clean up behind them keeps sensitive habitats safe from damaging disturbance and dangerous diseases like neosporosis, which poses a serious risk of aborted pregnancies in our conservation grazing animals.
"Sadly, we have seen this twice already in the spring 2025 calving period," he added.
NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader, a mixed farmer in Wenvoe just outside Cardiff, said members of the public may not be aware of just how much damage leaving dog waste - and dog waste bags - can do.
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"This week I went into the milking shed and could see something green in one of the cow's mouths. I thought it was a balloon but then realised it was a poo bag. There was another bit on the floor, but I do not know if the cow digested any.
"People think they are doing the right thing by picking up after their dog, but they then need to find a bin or take it home. Hanging it on a fence or a tree is just not good enough. They do not know the harm they could be doing - not just to cows and sheep but to horses and wildlife in general," Ms Reader added.
Awareness
Ms Reader said as more people were venturing into the countryside to enjoy the spring weather it was important to raise awareness.
"Some members of the general public have no concept that there is a consequence," she said. "It is frustrating. Please pick up after your dog and take it home."
Dr Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at Dogs Trust, said: "Dogs enrich our lives, but they also bring a level of responsibility. While many of us enjoy taking our dogs for long walks, especially as it becomes a bit warmer, we urge dog owners to consider their surroundings, particularly when visiting areas where they might encounter wildlife.
"When visiting rural areas, owners should keep their dogs under control and ensure they do not worry other animals or stray from the path, as well as dispose of their dog's waste appropriately. We would advise keeping your dog on a short lead, and close to you, especially whenever livestock are nearby.
"It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size."
Take the Lead
You can support 草榴社区 Guardian's Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association, to raise awareness of keeping dogs on lead when near livestock.
We can provide you with free signs to place around your farm warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock.
To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, 草榴社区 Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.
We will be able to send up to 25 signs.
