'Paws' for thought

We want you to make the most of being on holiday with your best friend. This means respecting the fact that not everyone is a dog lover and a certain etiquette applies. Go online to read the countryside code of conduct and some useful dog facts:

• Please clean up after your dog. Don’t forget to take bags with you, and dispose of the waste carefully. Dog owners are required by law to clean up after their dogs. If you allow your dog to foul and do not clean up after it you may be issued with a fixed penalty by the Dog Warden.
• Dogs die in hot cars. Do not leave your dog/s in the car. Did you know when it’s 22°C outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C within 60 minutes.
• Dogs should be kept on leads where stated. If off lead, your dog must be kept under close control.

Dogs and the countryside code
The Countryside Code is dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside. The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people:

• Leave all gates, whether opened or closed, as you found them.
• By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. You must keep your dog on a short lead on most areas of open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near farm animals.
• You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths as long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
• Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife - eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents.
• Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it can cause infections - so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly. Also make sure your dog is wormed regularly to protect it, other animals and people.
• At certain times dogs may not be allowed on some areas of open land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs. You can also find out more about these rules from www.ccw.gov.uk or by phoning the CCW Enquiry Line on 0845 130 6229.

Walking and cattle
Many footpaths cut across farmland which is being grazed by cattle. Cattle are not prohibited from being kept in fields crossed by rights of way. Much of the time, a herd of cattle in a field will approach you out of curiosity. It would be prudent however, to exercise caution when entering a field of cattle, as serious cases of attacks by cattle have taken place, particularly upon walkers with dogs. The following advice is given;

• When walking through a field of cattle, keep calm and move calmly and quietly through the field.
• Do not let yourself get between a cow and her calf.
• If you have a dog with you, the most important thing is to let it go. The cattle are probably more interested in the dog than you and the dog can travel a lot faster and will get itself to safety. Your safety should be prime in your mind.

Lost & Stray dogs
For lost and stray dogs, or to report an incidence of dog fouling, contact the Carmarthenshire County Council Contact Centre on 01267 234567.