Good Dog Campaign

Here at Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages it’s no secret that we have a soft spot for our four-legged canine friends, whatever the shape and size may be. We want to encourage dogs and their owners to have the most ‘paw-fect’ holiday possible in Northumberland, so we have come up a few useful pointers to follow during your time here. 

Call into one of our offices to get a snap of your pooch Respecting Northumberland in one of our ‘Good Dog’ code bandana’s! 

The Law 

Northumberland County Council has introduced four Dog Control Ordes under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act. 

Order 1 –RemovingDog Faeces

This requires people in control of a dog to immediately remove faeces deposited by their dog on all land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access in the County of Northumberland at all times of the year. This includes beaches, sand dunes and coastal grasslands.

Order 2 –Keeping Dogs on Leads

This would require people in control of a dog to keep it on a lead no longer than 1.5metres in the following area(s) at all times of the year.  All cemeteries within the County of Northumberland. Alongside A and B Class roads. 

Order 3 –Keeping Dogs on Leads when Directed

This requires people in control of a dog to put and keep it on a lead, no longer than 1.5m, when told to do so by an authorised officer, which will apply on land open to the air and to which the public are entitled and permitted to haveaccess in the County of Northumberland at all times of the year.

Order 4 –Excluding Dogs from Land

This requires people in control of a dog to ensure that it is prevented from entering all enclosed children’s play areas within Northumberland at all times of the year.  Failure to comply could result in a fixed penalty fine of £75.  

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, you are committing an offence if your dog worries (chases or attacks) livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and poultry) on agricultural land, so keep your dog on a lead around livestock.

If your dog worries livestock, the farmer has the right to stop your dog (even by shooting your dog in certain circumstances).

Be aware of feeding birds 

Flocks of birds on the shore will most likely be feeding. It may be fun, but please do not allow your dog to run at flocks of birds on the shore. Regular disturbance causes stress and conserving valuable energy is important to them – it could mean the difference between life and death. 

Take care of roosting shorebirds 

Please keep dogs on a lead or at heel when possible. Even well-behaved dogs can frighten roosting shorebirds causing them to move away from protecting their youngsters. 

Farm animals and Livestock 

Cattle, sheep and ponies are often grazed in dunes, coastal grasslands and adjacent fields. Where you come across livestock, please put your dog on a lead. 

If you are chased by cattle you should let your dog off its lead to protect yourself.