Dog walking in the countryside

There are many places where you can walk your dog in Gateshead's countryside. The Countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it is every owner's responsibility to make sure their dog is not a danger or a nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

Most parks and public open spaces allow dog-walking, but please remember that they are all subject to regulations controlling fouling. This means that you must always clear up any mess your dog makes, and failing to do so could make you liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

When walking your dog in the countryside, always remember:

• 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 - 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.
• If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead - don't risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.
• 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 that your dog is wormed regularly.