Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is calling on constituents to make sure livestock is protected when in the countryside.
Mr Rowlands, a dog owner, is backing a call from Natural Resources Wales who are urging everyone to keep their keep their dogs on a lead and follow the Countryside Code.
He said:
I am happy to add my voice to remind dog owners, who are walking their pets in the countryside, to make sure their animals are kept on a lead especially when near livestock.
The lambing season is almost upon us and It is heart-breaking and very sad when we hear about sheep being attacked and suffering because a dog has been let loose by its owner.
As the daylight hours increase and we look forward to warmer weather many people will be keen to visit some of the scenic landscapes we have to offer in North Wales.
However, we really need to be aware of our surroundings when walking our pets and follow the countryside code.
Natural Resources Wales has put out a timely reminder for everyone to follow the Countryside Code and urging all dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads around sheep to reduce attacks and exercise their pet in a responsible way.
Whilst the burgeoning of new life and escape from darker days of winter may bring relief for many, it can also be a time of great concern for farmers and landowners as lambing season begins.
Ongoing incidents involving loose dogs put animals at risk. Reports of sheep attacks have been recorded across the country, with many incidents ending in sheep fatality.
Every year, sheep and other livestock suffer stress, injury, and even death due to uncontrolled dogs. Pregnant ewes can miscarry when chased, and lambs can become separated from their mothers.
Even the most well-trained dogs have a natural instinct to chase, making it essential for owners to take precautions when heading out into the countryside.
Alison Roberts, Responsible Recreation Advisor at Natural Resources Wales said:
Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dog under effective control and make sure it stays away from other animals. Following the guidance in the Countryside Code to use leads around sheep can help everyone enjoy the outdoors while keeping livestock and pets safe from harm.
Rhian Pierce, sheep farmer in north Wales said:
Pregnant ewes and young lambs are really vulnerable at this time of year. Dogs can cause distress even if they don’t attack as the fear and exhaustion of being chased can cause pregnant ewes to abort. The distress this causes animals and farmers, as well as the harm to livelihoods, can be prevented by keeping dogs on leads near sheep.
The Countryside Code exists to ensure that everyone can enjoy time outdoors responsibly while protecting the animals and wildlife that call it home. With a little extra care, dog owners can help protect the countryside and the livelihoods of those that work there, ensuring that lambs, ewes, and other livestock can thrive this spring, and allowing for an enjoyable, incident free time in nature with their beloved pet.
Sam Rowlands AS yn annog perchnogion cŵn i gadw eu cŵn ar dennyn yng nghefn gwlad
Mae Sam Rowlands, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros y Gogledd, yn galw ar etholwyr i sicrhau bod da byw yn cael eu gwarchod yng nghefn gwlad.
Mae Mr Rowlands, sy’n berchennog ci ei hun, yn cefnogi galwad gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru sy'n annog pawb i gadw eu cŵn ar dennyn a dilyn y Cod Cefn Gwlad.
Meddai:
Rwy'n hapus i ychwanegu fy llais i’r ymgyrch ac i atgoffa perchnogion cŵn, sy'n cerdded eu hanifeiliaid anwes yng nghefn gwlad, i sicrhau bod eu hanifeiliaid yn cael eu cadw ar dennyn, yn enwedig pan fyddan nhw’n agos at dda byw.
Mae'r tymor wyna ar y gorwel ac mae'n dorcalonnus clywed am ymosodiadau ar ddefaid a dioddefaint oherwydd bod ci wedi cael ei adael yn rhydd gan ei berchennog.
Wrth i’r dydd ymestyn ac i ninnau edrych ymlaen at dywydd cynhesach, bydd llawer o bobl yn awyddus i ymweld â rhai o'r tirweddau hynod sydd gennym yma yn y Gogledd.
Fodd bynnag, mae gwir angen i ni fod yn ymwybodol o'n hamgylchedd wrth gerdded ein hanifeiliaid anwes a dilyn y cod cefn gwlad.
Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi atgoffa pawb yn amserol i ddilyn y Cod Cefn Gwlad ac yn annog pob cerddwr cŵn i gadw eu cŵn ar dennyn o amgylch defaid er mwyn lleihau ymosodiadau ac i ymarfer eu hanifail anwes mewn ffordd gyfrifol.
Er y gall addewid y gwanwyn a medru ffarwelio â dyddiau tywyllach y gaeaf ddod â rhyddhad i lawer, gall hefyd fod yn gyfnod o bryder mawr i ffermwyr a thirfeddianwyr wrth i'r tymor wyna ddechrau.
Mae yna ddigwyddiadau byth a hefyd yn ymwneud â chŵn rhydd yn peryglu anifeiliaid. Mae adroddiadau o ymosodiadau ar ddefaid wedi'u cofnodi ledled y wlad, gyda sawl achos o ddefaid yn cael eu lladd.
Bob blwyddyn, mae defaid a da byw eraill yn dioddef straen, anafiadau, a hyd yn oed yn marw yn sgil cŵn sydd heb eu rheoli. Gall mamogiaid golli eu hŵyn bach wrth redeg i ffwrdd oddi wrth gŵn, a gall ŵyn gael eu gwahanu oddi wrth eu mamau.
Mae gan hyd yn oed y cŵn sydd wedi'u hyfforddi'n dda reddf naturiol i'w herlid, sy’n golygu ei bod hi'n hanfodol bod perchnogion yn cymryd rhagofalon wrth fynd allan i gefn gwlad.
Meddai Alison Roberts, Cynghorydd Hamdden Cyfrifol Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru:
Mae cyfrifoldeb ar berchnogion cŵn i gadw eu hanifeiliaid dan reolaeth yn effeithiol a sicrhau eu bod yn cadw draw o anifeiliaid eraill. Gall dilyn canllawiau’r Cod Cefn Gwlad ar ddefnyddio tennyn o gwmpas defaid helpu pawb i fwynhau'r awyr agored a chadw da byw ac anifeiliaid anwes yn ddiogel rhag niwed.
Dywedodd Rhian Pierce, ffermwr defaid yn y Gogledd:
Mae defaid beichiog ac ŵyn ifanc yn fregus iawn ar yr adeg hon o'r flwyddyn. Gall cŵn achosi gofid hyd yn oed os nad ydyn nhw'n ymosod oherwydd gall yr ofn a'r blinder o gael eu herlid achosi i ddefaid beichiog erthylu. Gellir atal y gofid y mae hyn yn ei achosi i anifeiliaid a ffermwyr, yn ogystal â'r niwed i fywoliaeth, trwy gadw cŵn ar dennyn yn ymyl defaid.
Mae'r Cod Cefn Gwlad yn bodoli er mwyn sicrhau y gall pawb fwynhau eu hamser yn yr awyr agored yn gyfrifol gan ddiogelu'r anifeiliaid a'r bywyd gwyllt sy'n ei alw'n gartref. Gydag ychydig o ofal ychwanegol, gall perchnogion cŵn helpu i ddiogelu cefn gwlad a bywoliaeth y rhai sy'n gweithio yno, gan sicrhau y gall ŵyn, mamogiaid a da byw eraill ffynnu y gwanwyn hwn, ac y gall pawb gael amser da, heb unrhyw drafferthion, yng nghanol natur gyda'u hanifail anwes annwyl.
