News

PAWS ON THE MOORS - And be a responsible dog owner

8th March, 2007

Dog walkers on the moors in the North of England have the opportunity to go ‘high-tech’ from today with the launch of a new podcast called ‘Paws on the moors’. Produced specifically for dog owners, the 25 minute play follows the adventures of six dogs on the moors through their fictitious online diary (or ‘web blog’ to those in the know!).

The podcast has been developed by the Moors for the Future Partnership as a positive means of encouraging responsible dog ownership on the moors, particularly during the bird nesting and lambing season (1st March – 31 July each year).

The UK Kennel Club, which is the governing body for dogs, has supported the podcast throughout its development. The Kennel Club’s Access Advisor, Stephen Jenkinson, said: “This entertaining, informative approach gives people excellent advice about keeping their dogs happy and safe on the moors, whilst protecting rare birds and wildlife. A pet roaming off-lead at the wrong time or place can cause distress and serious injury for dogs, farm animals and wildlife alike.”

Over the course of a year Barney, a young collie-cross, learns about the delights and some of the dangers a dog can find on and around the moors. Through his ‘blog’, Barney makes new friends, including two experienced working dogs that also help to reform the mischievous Bingo, a Lakeland terrier who likes to bite off more than he can chew. The dogs start to appreciate that some of the other birds and animals that live on the moors and can get them into deep trouble!

Said Simon Bostock, Moorland Representative for the moors in the North of England and Chairman of the Moorland Association: “Moors for the Future research shows that many owners are simply unaware of the risks posed to wildlife and livestock by uncontrolled dogs, and indeed to the pets themselves. The Moorland Association, whose members are primarily responsible for the conservation of the vast majority of the heather moorland in the North of England, congratulates the partnership for this excellent and amusing production and can’t recommend it more highly to all visitors – especially those with four-legged friends!”

The podcast will officially be launched at Crufts, the world’s biggest and best dog show at the NEC in Birmingham (8-11 March – www.crufts.org.uk), and can be downloaded from the Moors for the Future website www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk by following the links to ‘Paws on the moors’ pages. Here there is also a wealth of information for dog owners, including information on pet friendly accommodation and local vets.

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Moors for the Future, launched in 2002, is a Heritage Lottery funded project co-ordinated by: Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, Natural England, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water, Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council, Sheffield City Council, Defra, Country Land & Business Association, National Farmers’ Union and the Moorland Association. For further information visit www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk

2. A credit card sized ‘Paws on the moors’ information card is also available from Moors for the Future which allows dog owners to record important information about their pet in the unlikely but worrying event that they lose their dog. Further details are available on the ‘Paws on the moors’ pages of the website.