#LeadOn Workshop: Being proactive – tools for positive engagement with dog walkers

Date: 12th May 2021

Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Location: Online - zoom meeting

Wednesday saw the third in a series of NSA #LeadOn workshops. The evening event focussed on the powerful use of social media and positive messaging when dealing with and preventing an incident of sheep worrying by dogs. NSA English Committee Chair, Kevin Harrison hosted the meeting alongside a very diverse panel consisting of Jake Freestone (Farm Manager, Overbury Farms), Tom Chapman (Shepherd, Overbury Farms), Zoë Colville (The Chief Shepherdess) and Debs Roberts (Ladies Who Lamb UK).

In the context of sheep worrying by dogs, Jake and Tom demonstrated how they use public notice boards on their estate alongside community engagement via local Facebook groups, lambing days and farm tours to help explain daily ongoings and why they ask certain things at specific times of year. Jake explained that any signage should be informative, accurate, polite whilst not being too long and should be regularly refreshed to ensure optimal uptake. He also advocated that not all fields require the same set of instructions and the option of adding a QR code which links to a video may be a tech savvy way of engaging with the public. Attendees were also reminded a phone number and individual field names should be considered on any signs in the case of emergency.

Zoë followed with her experiences of sheep worrying by dogs based in Kent and the use of electric fencing as a physical way of directing walkers across the land. She advocated the importance of education but also relationship building with the public via social media and was keen to point out that graphic images, whilst effective in some situations, should not become the norm when raising awareness. It is crucial to engage in a positive manner no matter the circumstance, however this should be the case for both parties. She also highlighted that the public may not always realise how many times a farmer may have had to approach dog walkers in a single day.

Debs Roberts demonstrated the use of social media through the private Facebook group she established with her daughter just two and a half years ago which has amassed to 10,500 female members, predominantly based in the UK. This democratic and active community has fast become a lifeline for likeminded farming ladies who rely on quick, dynamic and accurate technical advice which they can implement to expand their own sheep farming skillset on a daily basis. The past year has seen a rise of sheep worrying related topics and despite being geographically diverse, there has been a real sense of comradery.

Key points of the evening were the importance of making sure there is responsible dog ownership whilst accessing the countryside alongside exploring the need for small animal vets to educate dog owners from an early stage to ensure that a rounded knowledge of responsibility occurs.

The session was extremely interesting to all attendees with a fast paced and diverse conversation. NSA would like to thank all panellists for their time and contribution to the #LeadOn campaign.

A recording of the workshop is available at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/webinars .