About
Our Mission Statement
Every day, dogs, horses, livestock, wildlife and people suffer preventable incidents and injuries due to off lead, out of control dogs. Leash and Release is a campaign for responsible dog ownership and for the protection of all mentioned- because freedom for one shouldn’t come at the cost of the safety of others.
We are campaigning to:
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Educate dog owners about the risks of off-lead dogs and the importance of control around livestock, horse and rider, wildlife and other dogs and people.
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Support riders by campaigning to have horses recognised as livestock when being ridden, giving them the legal protection they need and to change the countryside codes advice and guidance about when to leash your dog especially around the mentioned parties.
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Have the current laws tightened, enforced more, and updated, removing grey areas and loopholes, while ensuring penalties are proportionate to the incidents caused.
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With support from other organisations, offer training opportunities and educational courses for dog owners and riders, so everyone can enjoy the outdoors without putting others at risk.
Why it matters
When dogs are let off the lead without recall training or without good recall the consequences can be devastating. The same applies to riders and horses when a rider does not know the correct actions to take if they find themselves in a situation where their horse may face an out-of-control dog or in worse case scenarios, a dog attack.
The consequences can be devastating- chased horses, injured animals, killed livestock, injured riders or dog owners, injured dogs and frightened children.
We believe in a balanced approach. LEASH WHEN NECESSARY. RELEASE WHEN SAFE. It is time to raise awareness, encourage training and education and protect all who use our outdoor spaces.