Clay Pigeon Shooting

[pipdawg]

I live on a farm in a remote area and every day my non-working, 6 year old
border collie has 3 x one and a half mile walks off the lead in our fields and woodland. She was a fit, healthy, happy dog. In the last couple of months a commercial clay pigeon shoot has been set up on another farmer's land, half a mile or more away from my house. The shooting goes on 7 days a week during all daylight hours. To be honest, the noise doesn't actually bother me personally. I can't hear it from inside my house and when I'm outside it's very distant. However, it's transformed my (over intelligent and over sensitive) dog's life for the worse. She can hear it from inside the house and now refuses to go outside if there's any 'banging going on', as we put it. I can take her on a walk if we go out very early, but if the shooting starts while we're out, she bolts for home. If I force her outside while the shooting is going on, she cowers behind the dustbins and refuses to budge. She used to spend many hours with my father in the woods while he tended to the trees, but again she heads for home as soon as the firing starts. She put on weight. It's all such a shame. Is there a legal position on this?

[pipdawg]

Thanks to everyone for all your comments which I have read with great interest. I never thought that my question would instigate such debate, but maybe that's a good thing. It's true that my initial question was about the law but I now realise it's more to do with my dog. The first step is to have a word with the vet and I'll take it from there. I'll let you know how I get on

[bednobs]

our dog hate loud bangs too - he will cower if a door slams upsatirs, and thunder and hot air balloons (which go over here too). we have tried the desensitising tapes with him but to no avail. He has been to dog training to no avail

[pipdawg]

Thanks to everyone for your comments - I never thought my initial question would instigate so much debate, but maybe that's a good thing. I now accept that this is not going to be a legal matter with the clay pigeon shoot but an issue with my dog. I'll keep you posted as to how I go on. Thanks again

[pipdawg]

The latest:- the shooting is still going on and my dog is still frightened. I've spoken to two vets and all I got was a shrug of the shoulders. However, for the past 3 weeks, correspondence in the local newspaper against this clay pigeon shoot has been building, so, if nothing else, I know I'm not alone