The words of Albert Einstein - "in the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity" could be the solution source to ending the crisis of livestock worrying by dogs while creating a viable rural business.

Recreational dog owners want a safe space to walk their dogs in the countryside while enjoying nature's health benefits. They do not want to interfere or impede the work of the farmer. 

Likewise, the presence of dog walkers on the land is a source of security and a chance to interact with people for the landowner.

To meet in this opportunity middle, what about a business idea for a farmer to develop a dog walking loop around their farm alongside a free-running exercise area?

This would allow dog walkers to walk around the farm in a fenced-off loop walk with a designated start and finish area. 

For dogs who need to run off steam, a fenced enclosure could be an additional area next to the trail.  Here, dogs can be left off the lead and allowed to run.

A nominal charge per adult and per dog could be a modest income stream for the landowner, supplemented by any additional farm businesses on site such as a farm shop, a coffee/tea hut, or accommodation options.

Creating a looped dog walk trail on farms would be paw prints in the journey to get more people into the countryside in a safe and controlled way. 

Calls to ban dogs from the countryside do not foster a positive farmer and non-farmer relationship.

Farming and grants and not strangers. A grant scheme can be found for a farmer who wants to develop a tail trail on their farm. 

As Einstein might say, it is not rocket science to develop a looped dog walking trail around a farm.

Dog owners and farmers do not need to be in conflict. All that is needed is a desire to achieve a solution that benefits all.

While farmers are rightly the top dog when it comes to managing their land, a blanket ban on responsible dog walking only creates unnecessary conflict. 

Locating common ground would allow both farming and responsible canine recreation to coexist and thrive in our beautiful landscape.

From John Tierney, chairperson, Waterford Animal Concern, Co. Waterford