Keep yourself safe when exploring our stunning natural spaces by following our safety advice for walkers and dog owners.
Safety Advice for Walkers
There are lots of locations and opportunities to walk and enjoy the beautiful landscapes within the Causeway Coast and Glens area, but walkers should always be mindful of their own safety while out walking.
Your safety is your own responsibility so please look after yourself and others in your care. In order to help you stay safe and enjoy your walking experience, please note the following advice:
• Ensure that someone that is not on the walk with you knows where you intend to go and roughly how long you will be away. If possible, take a mobile phone with you, but be mindful that reception varies throughout the Borough.
• Plan your walk carefully – check the weather forecast and, if applicable, check high and low tide times to avoid tidal cut-off.
• For longer walks ensure you have enough food and drink to sustain you.
• Keep to waymarked trails and surfaced paths and stay away from cliff edges, especially during wet and windy weather - some cliffs can overhang or become unstable and this is not always obvious. Please follow any advisory and warning signs and stay away from cliff edges.
• Take particular care during wet conditions, when underfoot surfaces can become very slippery. Choose appropriate clothing and footwear to suit the terrain and weather conditions. Be prepared for possible changes in the weather.
• Do not attempt a walk beyond your fitness level.
• Take special care of children and pets if they are on the walk with you – they may not be aware of potential dangers such as cliff edges or deep water.
• Do not disturb farm animals or wildlife – walk around cattle, not between them, especially if they have calves. If you have a dog with you, and cattle start to act aggressively and chase you and your dog, you should let go of the lead.
• In an emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Always try to be aware of your location. Consider using Apps such as What3Words.
Advice for Dog Owners
If out walking with your dog, please be mindful of the following tips:
• If you’re walking in rural areas keep your dog on a lead at all times - especially if there are grazing sheep about (see additional information re: livestock worrying below).
• If walking on beaches, please remember they are public places and shared spaces. Please respect other beach users’ rights and ensure your dog is under control when in close proximity to other dogs, horses and people.
• Keep your dog on a lead when walking near cliff edges – they are often loose underfoot and home to rabbits and other wildlife.
• Don’t let your dog run up to other people uninvited – not everyone likes dogs.
• Regarding dog foul - always bag it and bin it wherever you are. Otherwise you give all dog owners a bad name and can pass on diseases to people and farm animals.
• Ensure your dog has a name tag and is micro-chipped so you can be easily reunited if your dog gets lost.
• Dogs can die if left in cars during warm weather – please exercise careful judgement and ensure your dog is well hydrated at all times.
• When walking through grass areas and woodlands, be tick aware. Guidance is available online e.g. The Kennel Club website.
Further information relating to livestock worrying:
It is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 to allow a dog on any land containing livestock unless the dog is under control. The Order defines ‘under control’ as ‘restrained by a chain or other sufficient leash held by a person exercising proper control over the dog’. The Order also states that if a dog worries sheep (attacks or kills sheep or chases them in a way that may cause injury, suffering or financial loss to their owner) the person in charge of that dog is guilty of an offence. The penalty for this offence is a fine of up to £1000.
What harm can livestock worrying do?
Chasing by dogs can cause serious damage to sheep, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of worrying by dogs can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs. Sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, damaging fences and field boundaries in the process. Dog bites can cause death in sheep, necessitate them to be put down at a later date or result in considerable veterinary bills.
Dog Control Orders
District Councils have powers, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011, to make Dog Control Orders to deal more effectively with irresponsible dog ownership in public places.
There are a number of Dog Control Orders operational within certain areas of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.
One of the Orders deals with dog walking on beaches. From 1st June – 15th September annually, dogs are not allowed on certain sections of Council’s beaches.
The penalty for committing an offence contained in a dog control order is a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000). Alternatively, the opportunity
of a fixed penalty of £80 may be offered as an alternative measure to prosecution.
For further information about Dog Control Orders, including an interactive mapping tool, please click link below:
https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/live/health-and-built-environment/licensing/dog-licensing/dog-control-in-public-spaces
