Countryside Recreation - Animals and Rights of Way

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Animals and Public Rights of Way

If an animal (horse, dog, bull, etc.) causes injury to anyone using a public right of way, then the owner of that animal is held responsible, and may be prosecuted. Anyone who owns an animal which they know to have dangerous tendencies should not keep that animal in a field which is crossed by a public footpath, bridleway or byway.

Bulls

No dairy bull over 10 months of age may be allowed to roam freely in a field which is crossed by a public right of way. Bulls of all other breeds must be accompanied by cows or heifers when in fields which have public access.

The following pictures illustrate the recognised dairy breeds, and link to related websites:

Ayrshire		Dairy Shorthorn
Friesian		Guernsey
Holstein		Jersey

Kerry

The Health and Safety Executive have guidance on keeping cattle in fields with public access.

Dogs

Dogs can be taken into the countryside, but please follow this guidance.

If a dog effectively prevents the use of a public right of way, for example by standing in the middle of a path facing on-comers with bared teeth and snarling, or where it merely frightens users, for example by running around them barking in a threatening manner, this constitutes a public nuisance, and possibly an obstruction of the highway.

You can report this to the Countryside Recreation Team on 01926 413427, but it is the Police who are responsible for enforcing the removal of the dog.

Horses

Horses may be kept loose in fields crossed by public rights of way as long as they are not known to be dangerous.

Horses may not be ridden on public footpaths unless the landowner has given permission. A horse rider may be asked to leave any land over which they do not have the right to ride, and may be asked to pay for any damages caused. If a horse being ridden on a public bridleway or byway injures another person, the owner of the horse may be held responsible for the injuries, and the horse rider may be held reponsible if they are shown to be negligent in controlling the horse.

More information about horse riding.

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