Cheshire East is calling on dog owners to 'get a grip' and ensure their pets don't harm livestock and nesting birds.
The Council says dogs worrying and attacking livestock is a serious problem, having a major emotional and financial impact on all involved.
Cheshire East Council's animal health and welfare team, Cheshire police and the countryside rangers have launched a joint campaign to reduce incidents in the borough, many of which occur during the lambing season and during nesting time.
They have drawn up a checklist of dos and don'ts. For dog owners these include: not allowing your dog to be unaccompanied outside of your home; ensuring your dog is secure and cannot escape; using alternative routes away from livestock, where possible; keeping your dog on a lead in enclosures containing livestock and picking up after your dog and disposing of faeces responsibly.
Whilst farmers are recommended to display notices that advise dog walkers of livestock in fields and report all incidents of livestock worrying and attacks to the police by ringing 101.
Mark Palethorpe, Cheshire East Council executive director of people, said: "Dog owners have a duty to be responsible, considerate and obey the law regarding their pets. I would remind everyone that it is a criminal offence for an owner or person in charge of a dog to allow it to worry livestock.
"The majority of pet owners are responsible – but all should be aware that, as a last resort, a landowner or someone acting on their behalf, has the legal right to shoot a dog to protect their property, under the Animals Act 1971.
"Please keep your dog on a lead, where livestock is grazing or there could be a threat to ground-nesting birds. Any dog, regardless of breed, has the potential to chase and worry livestock. Do not let it be your dog."
If you allow a dog to worry livestock you may be prosecuted or fined and ordered to pay compensation.
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