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Before opening a field gate, pause and look beyond the path. The Countryside Code for England and Wales recommends keeping dogs on a lead around livestock, giving animals space and following local signs. A walk can be relaxed while still having clear boundaries for your dog1.
The answer to “does the lead have to stay on?” depends on the country, the land and any local restrictions. There is also a newer livestock law to understand. Start with the route you intend to use, rather than assuming that every place called countryside has the same rules.
Open access has a particular meaning
In England, open access land is land where you can exercise a right to roam beyond paths, subject to conditions. GOV.UK lists mountains, moors, heaths, downs and registered common land among the examples. A field looking open does not by itself give you permission to roam across it2.
On open access land, the government's guidance requires a lead no longer than two metres between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times around livestock. It separately describes close control on land next to the King Charles III England Coast Path, with possible local or seasonal restrictions2.
That page says these restrictions do not apply to public rights of way or assistance dogs. This does not remove other dog-control or livestock responsibilities. Check the access map, the route and any local restriction rather than extending the seasonal open-access rule to every footpath in England2.
When planning, write down which sort of access you are relying on. “Footpath across this field” and “open access over this hillside” are useful descriptions to investigate. “There is a gap in the hedge” leaves the question unanswered. You can change the plan before anyone has put their walking boots on.
What changed in the livestock law
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 extends to England and Wales only. It received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 and came into force on 18 March 2026. Defra explains that it updated existing protection rather than making livestock worrying an offence for the first time3, 4.
The changes cover attacks or worrying on roads and paths as well as agricultural land, and add camelids such as alpacas and llamas. The Act includes qualifications and defences: for example, a specific road-or-path exception concerns livestock that have strayed from where they are kept, unless the person causes the dog to attack them3.
Police powers include seizure and detention where there are reasonable grounds to believe a dog has attacked or worried livestock and could do so again. The Act also provides for evidential samples and court-authorised entry and search. These powers have conditions; they are not automatic consequences of every dog being near a farm animal3.
Defra says the previous maximum £1,000 fine was replaced by an unlimited fine. The court decides the outcome of an individual case. The practical point for a walker is to prevent the incident, rather than estimate what a particular chase might cost4.
Worrying does not require a bite
Defra explains that chasing can qualify even without physical contact, and that fear and stress can harm livestock. Its explanation includes chasing that could reasonably cause injury or suffering and a dog being loose, without a lead or other close control, in a field or enclosure containing sheep4.
“My dog only wanted to play” does not describe what happened to the livestock. Put the decision earlier in your walk: how will your dog remain under control before reaching the animals? The legislation is easier to live with when the plan does not depend on seeing how a chase turns out.
The Countryside Code says dogs should remain in sight or on a lead, with reliable response to recall and no straying beyond the area where you have access. It also says to let the dog off the lead if livestock or horses threaten you, so both of you can reach safety1.
That emergency instruction is different from choosing to let a dog run among grazing animals. Keep it in mind while planning how to avoid an unsuitable encounter. Detailed cattle-walking safety deserves its own preparation, rather than an assumption that holding the lead more tightly answers every situation.
The shooting warning needs its conditions
In England and Wales, section 9 of the Animals Act 1971 provides a defence to civil proceedings for killing or injuring a dog to protect livestock, subject to conditions. It covers specified circumstances, including a dog worrying or about to worry livestock where there are no other reasonable means to stop or prevent it5.
The section also deals with a dog that has been worrying livestock, remains nearby, is uncontrolled and cannot practicably be identified by owner. The person must be entitled to protect the livestock and notify the police within forty-eight hours. The law includes reasonable-belief provisions. This is a conditional defence, not blanket permission concerning any dog near livestock5.
For an owner, the useful response is calm prevention. You do not need to debate the legal test at a field gate. Choose a route and level of control that keep you away from that situation, and leave questions about a particular incident to the appropriate authorities.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own codes
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code makes responsible access with a dog conditional on proper control. It says not to take dogs into fields containing lambs, calves or other young farm animals. In fields with other farm animals, keep the dog on a short lead or close at heel and stay as far away as possible6.
For ground-nesting birds, the Scottish guidance advises a short lead or close-at-heel control during the breeding season, usually April to July, in relevant habitats. Its crop advice also matters: avoid vegetable or fruit fields unless there is a clear path, and keep to that path. These are Scottish instructions, not a restatement of England's seasonal two-metre rule6.
Northern Ireland's Countryside Code advises keeping dogs on leads on roads and near farm animals, avoiding fields with animals and checking where you are allowed to go. It stresses that much land is private and access may depend on landowner goodwill. Do not assume Scotland's access arrangements apply when planning a Northern Ireland walk7.
The small habits that help a walk work
Leave gates as you find them or follow instructions, use appropriate crossings rather than damaging boundaries, and take dog poo to a bin or home. The Countryside Code also asks visitors to keep to marked paths unless wider access is available. These ordinary actions are part of sharing working land1.
PDSA recommends planning a route of suitable length for your dog, checking access and local advice, and allowing rests. Pack drinking water, a bowl and poo bags. Check that the collar or harness fits securely, and account for the weather rather than expecting the dog to manage whatever the original plan involved8.
After a countryside walk, PDSA advises checking for ticks and getting veterinary help if you are unsure how to remove one properly. Its planning advice also includes taking a map and securing the dog appropriately during car travel. Make the journey home part of your preparation too8.
Your own route notes
- Country and access information checked
- Local signs or seasonal restrictions identified
- An alternative if the intended route is unsuitable
- Lead, water, bowl and poo bags ready8
- Who in the group is responsible for the dog at each stage
Give yourself room to turn back or take a shorter walk. A familiar path, a different gate or another day can be a perfectly good choice. You and your dog can still enjoy the view together.
Sources and further reading8 sources
The small numbers in the article link to the source behind each fact. Sources open on their own websites.