THE ANIMALS ACT 1971 PROTECTION OF LIVESTOCK AGAINST DOGS SIGN

This Animals Act 1971 Protection Of Livestock Against Dogs Sign provides a strong and highly visible warning to dog owners entering or approaching land where sheep or other livestock may be present. The message warns that a dog could be shot if found amongst sheep in circumstances where the legal requirements for protecting livestock are met.

The sign is particularly suitable for farms, grazing land and rural locations where uncontrolled dogs could chase, attack or otherwise worry livestock. Displaying a prominent warning can encourage dog owners to take additional care and keep their animals under proper control before entering a livestock area.

Section 9 of the Animals Act 1971 contains provisions relating to the killing or injury of dogs that are worrying livestock. The legislation provides a legal defence in specified circumstances rather than giving an unrestricted right to shoot any dog simply because it is present near livestock.

For this reason, the wording Your Dog Could Be Shot should be understood as a warning of a potential legal consequence where a dog is worrying livestock and the statutory conditions are satisfied. The sign itself does not create a legal right to shoot a dog.

Dogs can cause serious harm to sheep and other farm animals even when the dog owner believes the dog is simply chasing or playing. Livestock may suffer physical injuries, stress, exhaustion or other harmful consequences when pursued or attacked.

Sheep can be particularly vulnerable to dog attacks and worrying. Pregnant ewes, lambs and animals that are unable to move away quickly may face increased risk when confronted by an uncontrolled dog.

This sign provides a direct reminder that farmland containing livestock is a working environment and that dog owners have a responsibility to manage their dogs appropriately around farm animals.

The warning can be particularly useful where public footpaths, permissive paths or other access routes pass through fields containing sheep. Visitors may not immediately realise that livestock are present, particularly in large fields or where animals are hidden by the landscape or vegetation.

Suitable locations for the sign include field gates, stiles, kissing gates, farm entrances, footpath access points, fence lines and other prominent positions where dog walkers are likely to enter land containing livestock.

Positioning the sign before the point of entry gives dog owners an opportunity to recognise the risk and take appropriate action before approaching the animals.

The sign can also be used alongside Dogs Must Be Kept On Leads, Warning Loose Livestock, Please Keep Dogs Under Control and other appropriate countryside signs to reinforce responsible behaviour around farm animals.

Clear livestock warning signage can help farmers and landowners communicate important information to visitors without relying on verbal instructions, particularly on rural routes that may be used throughout the day.

Where livestock are moved between different fields during the year, warning signs should be reviewed to ensure they remain appropriate to the location and current farming activities.

Signs should be positioned where they remain clearly visible and should not become obscured by hedges, vegetation, gates or other objects. Additional signs may be appropriate where a field can be approached from several different directions.

The Animals Act 1971 includes specific conditions governing the circumstances in which killing or injuring a dog worrying livestock may be legally justified. Landowners and livestock keepers should not rely on the wording of a warning sign as a substitute for understanding the applicable law.

The legal position concerning dogs and livestock should also be considered alongside other applicable legislation and any subsequent amendments relating to livestock worrying. The precise circumstances of an incident are important when determining whether particular legal provisions apply.

This sign is therefore best used as a preventative warning, encouraging dog owners to recognise the seriousness of livestock worrying and take suitable precautions to prevent their dogs from chasing, attacking or disturbing farm animals.

The sign can form part of a wider farm and countryside signage system alongside livestock warnings, public footpath information, electric fence warnings, farm vehicle signs and other notices appropriate to the particular land and activities.

Warning signage should complement rather than replace suitable livestock management, secure boundaries, appropriate gates and other reasonable measures used to manage interactions between livestock, dogs and members of the public.

Manufactured from durable, high quality materials with clear print and excellent visibility, this Animals Act 1971 Protection Of Livestock Against Dogs Sign provides a professional and long lasting solution for warning dog owners about the serious consequences of allowing dogs to worry sheep or other livestock.

Materials available for this product

Self Adhesive Vinyl Sticker

Description:

A self adhesive vinyl plus other stuff in here too

Thickness:

95 micron

Fixing Options:

Self Adhesive

1mm Rigid

Description:

1mm Rigid PVC plastic full descritption

Thickness:

900 micron

Fixing Options:

Can be screwed or glued

3mm Foamex

Description:

3mm Foamex Plastic full descrioption in here

Thickness:

3mm

Fixing Options:

Can be screwed or glued

DiBond Aluminium (Wall Mounted)

Description:

Thickness:

Fixing Options:

DiBond Aluminium + Rail (Post Mounted)

Description:

DiBond Aluminium + Rail (Post Mounted)

Thickness:

3mm

Fixing Options:

*indicates your currently selected material