By all means get out and enjoy the delights of the Yorkshire countryside but keep dogs on leads - Bill Carmichael

Another 20 minutes on foot and I can be on the top of the moors, with marvellous and far reaching views of the Yorkshire Dales. No wonder they call it God’s Own County.

And yet, ten minutes in the other direction and I have a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, a leisure centre, cinema, outdoor market, large supermarkets and a railway station, with efficient electric trains that can deliver me to the larger cities of Leeds or Bradford in around 40 minutes.

I doubt there are many areas of the country that can provide such a combination of lovely countryside with the modern conveniences of urban life.

I was brought up in an inner city housing estate dominated by concrete and steel, and never saw a cow close up until I was a teenager, so I know how valuable the countryside and green spaces are to both physical and mental health.

And I am certainly not alone in Yorkshire at least.

One friend lucky enough to live within striking distance of the east coast is already planning for her highlight of the year - a trip to Bempton Cliffs to greet the arrival of the puffins.

Now the weather is warming up a bit another friend will no doubt be spending more time in his paradise on earth - climbing up vertiginous rock faces near Stanage Edge, south west of Sheffield, like an aged yet very fit mountain goat.

Wherever you look in this county there are countryside gems that offer delight to the eye, balm to the soul and allow us to recharge our batteries after a draining and long winter.

We should not take it for granted, and we also need to understand that although many of us use the countryside for leisure, for our farmers who produce the food we all rely on, it is a place of work.

And sad to say their job is made all the more difficult by the selfish and inconsiderate behaviour of some visitors.

For example this is the main lambing season for the county’s sheep farmers, yet many dog owners still let their pets off the lead, despite the well-established dangers this poses to livestock.

A recent survey conducted by the insurance company NFU Mutual found that 64 per cent of owners let their dogs roam off the lead in the countryside, and the same number admitted their dogs would chase animals, but 46 per cent believed their dogs would not kill livestock.

Many were unaware that even if their pet did not make contact with a sheep, the distress and exhaustion by being chased can trigger a pregnant ewe to die or miscarry, and young lambs can become separated from their mothers.

According to figures based on NFU Mutual’s claims data, dog attacks on UK farm animals cost £1.8m in 2022.

Farmers told the company that dog walkers are becoming more distracted, often on their mobile phones with their pets out of sight, and seemingly unaware of the carnage their dogs are causing.

The Covid pandemic saw a boom in dog ownership as many people purchased puppies for the first time, and there are fears among the farming community that as these people head for the countryside in the warmer weather, it could prove to be a very difficult and costly lambing season.

So my message this Easter is by all means get out and enjoy the delights of the Yorkshire countryside, and spend money on the pubs, restaurants, shops and B and Bs that the rural economy depends upon.

But be sensible and considerate. Close gates, take your rubbish home and treat these wonderful places with respect.

Most importantly keep your dogs on a lead when walking near livestock, although it is recommended that you let go of the lead if you are ever chased by cattle.

On this solemn Good Friday, a period of mourning and loss, we look forward to the season of glorious renewal and rebirth in three days’ time.

May I wish readers of this column a joyous and peaceful Easter.