NI Water is appealing to the public to take the lead when visiting any of its beauty spots.
The policy across all NI Water sites is to keep dogs on leads at all times. This is to ensure the safety of your pets, grazing animals and local wildlife.
Every year, sheep and lambs die after either being attacked by dogs off lead, or being stressed by the sight of a dog off lead to run and subsequently injure themselves leading livestock to lose lambs or have to be put to sleep. This is distressing for the other animals in the flock, as well as the farmers who graze the areas for their livelihoods, and incurs significant financial loss to them.
If a dog is found to be worrying sheep, its owners may face a fine of up to £1000 if found guilty of the offence, by law.
NI Water Catchment Officer Rebecca Allen said: “NI Water is very happy to host visitors to our pubicly accessible sites. Many sites which are owned by NI Water, such as the Silent Valley in the Mourne Mountains and the Garron Plateau in Co. Antrim, often seem like wilderness, unmanaged by anyone. But these areas are homes to ground-nesting breeding birds, special habitats, drinking water catchments and are the workplace for many farmers. They are owned and managed carefully by NI Water, the National Trust and other partners.
“Often the presence of a dog off lead is enough to spook a sheep and cause it to harm itself in an attempt to get to safety, and to chase away nesting birds leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators.
“Your dog may be very well trained and obedient, but often their instinct can take over and they will chase livestock when off the lead and out of your control. We ask that all visitors to NI Water lands follow the Countryside Code for Northern Ireland and keep dogs on leads at all times and bag and bin all dog waste.
“Keeping your dog on a lead keeps our wildlife safe and your dog safe and happy too.”
NI Water thanks all our visitors who keep their dogs on leads when enjoying the countryside.
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Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com
