Horrible Experience With A Wild Deer.

[Tilly2]

Yesterday, on our walk through the fields along a public footpath, Dylan dashed off into the long grass and began chasing a little Chinese Water Deer. After what seemed like ages, but was probably two minutes, the deer fell and Dylan caught up with it.
He jumped around it and didn't actually touch or wound the deer but the deer was literally screaming with fright whilst lying there exhausted.
We got Dylan away and after about five minutes, the deer got up and ran into the scrubland.
What would we have done had the deer been mauled and injured?
It was a very distressing event which could have been a lot, lot worse. It was horrible enough.

[barry1010]

There is no law that states dogs must be kept on leads whilst on public footpaths in the countryside - the law is that 'dogs must be kept under close control'. There may be bye-laws in an area stating that dogs must be kept on a lead and that will be clearly signposted.

An offence is committed if a dog owner does not prevent his dog from worrying livestock on agricultural land under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. There is only an offence if the dog is worrying livestock, just being off lead around livestock is not enough.

[Zacs-Master]

''dogs must be kept under close control'

Close control doesn't always mean on a lead.

[bednobs]

i dont understand all the anger on this threa. APG you say that your dogs ARE off lead in the open (when they are working) then berate others who have their dogs off the lead. What is to prevent your dogs running off and chasing a rabbit, deer or whatever?

[bednobs]

ps we also have a border collie who has selective deafness :)

[barry1010]

Exactly, Zacs. Although any dog that doesn't have good recall should never be off a lead in public - that's just my opinion.

[Zacs-Master]

I agree.

[barry1010]

I live in a very built area in a large town that borders a huge city and was astonished to see muntjac deer behind my garden fence. Apparently they've been in the area for a while. Building developments have probably driven out of their usual habitat

[tamborine]

my 3 dogs are only in public when visiting the vet & always on leash. They are only have freedom in my acre garden to protect my home, that is also panel fenced from street, with electric gates & cctv - son has imprisoned me aka colditz ;)

[barry1010]

So they never socialise with other dogs, never explore new areas, new scents, tambo? Never frolicked in the sea?

[AuntPG]

Bednobs Not quite sure where you're coming from here. The sheep dogs are focussed on their job and if you have ever seen a sheep dog at work you will realise, they are much more interested in the sheep than rabbits or foxes etc.

[tamborine]

No, friends bring in their dogs sometimes. The sea is 2hrs away; as I have an indoor pool I dont need to freeze in the sea.

[barry1010]

I live in the West Midlands but all my dogs loved a trip to the seaside, even in the winter. Great fun on empty beaches

[tamborine]

Salt sea water would have them itching & scratching

[naomi24]

Of course dogs must be kept on leads when around farm animals but no one can predict when a wild animal will appear in an unoccupied field. We have deer in our garden at times! That must have been awful for you, Tilly.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Naomi, for being supportive. Yes, it was awful and distressing.

Fortunately, it didn't end as badly as it could have done.

[barry1010]

Could have been worse, Tilly - could have been a Fenton moment, forever on YouTube


That is a good example of a dog that should be on a lead until he's completed his recall exam :(

[237SJ]

^ That's already been posted 3 times on this thread. Quite a lot of deer are killed by dogs in Richmond and Bushy Parks every year because their owners don't bother to put them on a lead.

[naomi24]

You’re welcome, Tilly. Thanks for BA.

[johnk]

Try a dog lead!

[naomi24]

Try reading the thread, John.