>>1207281This is a debate that is very much roaring where I live in England, due to the fact countless sheep have had abnormal miscarriages and been have been mauled to death by dogs who were let off the lead by Irresponsible owners.
However currently as it stands there is no set law or bylaws that forcibly make you keep your dog on a lead apart from on beaches during the summer or they simply ban dogs from certain sections of the beach.
Yet they could implement a ban on dogs off the lead along hiking trails and nature reserves that induce an on the spot fine if caught, yet such a thing I doubt it could ever come into pass as the upheaval would be massive
To the point that all that can be done is to increase signage around areas with livestock and raise public awareness banking on the hope that people will take note of the signs and put there dog on a lead when entering fields with livestock.
As for being approached by dogs whilst hiking I take it as a blessing rather than a hindrance, even if they shake muddy water all over you or make you drop your os map into the mud, they are still man's best freind and 99% of the time they will be well behaved.
