Protect your dog and livestock this bank holiday weekend

Whilst the weather might be looking changeable over the Easter weekend, our message to keep your dog on a lead remains the same.

Below is from our Rural Crime Team, who were recently out with the local police team in Hope Valley to educate dog walkers at Castleton Visitor Centre:

We’re working to raise awareness and reduce incidents where dogs chase, injure, or even kill livestock. It’s not “just a chase” – it can cause serious harm, stress to animals, and significant financial loss to farmers.

 Dog owners – here’s how you can help:

Farmers – if livestock worrying occurs:

Location matters

Using the what3words app can help pinpoint your exact location with just three words - much easier than “next to the big tree by the gate past the field”.

A little prevention goes a long way – keeping dogs on leads protects livestock, supports farmers, and keeps everyone enjoying the countryside safely 

Let’s work together to keep our rural communities safe (and keep the sheep stress-free)!

We recently highlighted the story of a farm worker who unfortunately had to shoot a dog that was attacking his sheep, as the law changed to make it an unlimited fine for dog owners: Farm worker tells of heartache over dog shooting as part of campaign to crackdown on livestock worrying | Derbyshire Constabulary.

Please enjoy Derbyshire's beautiful countryside safely this weekend.