Dog walkers warned about chased sheep (From The Bolton News)

This is interesting. I live in this area and I walk my dog regularly around the fields and footpaths of winter hill. My dog is often let off the lead to run about, but only in places where he won’t come into contact with sheep or any other animal come to that. However we have come into contact with many a stray sheep on more than one occasion and one local farmer once had a go at me, he yelled that my dog was worrying his sheep. I yelled back that we were on a public footpath and in an area that his sheep should not be in. He argued that some fencing had been vandalised and the sheep had wandered away from his field. I replied that I was sorry, but it wasn’t really my problem and walked away. The problem here is that the sheep farmers let their sheep wander wherever they like in this area. They belong in the farmer’s field but they do often wander onto the roads, gardens, public footpaths and bridleways that surround winter hill. I know that sometimes irresponsible walkers leave the gates in the fields open and the odd sheep may get out but I could walk up winter hill right now and return with photographs of many sheep that are wandering about in a place where they simply shouldn’t be. Whilst I do not want to see any harm to come to any animal, I do want my dog to be able to run free from time to time. I think the farmers should pay a little more attention to the security of their fields and fences and make sure all their flock is accounted for on a more regular basis before having a go at dog owners.

Are they sure it's the dogs that are the problem,I've seen quite afew men in macs and wellies skulking around Rivington recently,probably looking for Baaaabra.

There are some totally irresponsible dog walkers that frequent Rivington. I was bitten by a dog last Sunday while riding my mountain bike. On confronting the owner I was then threatened by him also.

Remember all dog walkers have a responsibility to keep their dog under control. That means they come to heal at a command. If they cant do that then they should not be off the lead.