Kerry Dodd, who is the Public Footpaths Liaison Officer for East Pennard, has provided the following information to bear in mind when accessing public footpaths. 

Vegetation Overhanging Access Furniture such as Gates and Stiles
Although we endeavour to make sure that public rights of way do not get so overgrown with
vegetation they are difficult to use and difficult to follow, we wouldn’t normally ask our contractors
or wardens to make a special journey solely to cut back vegetation overhanging a stile or gate. This is where your help would be really appreciated.
How you can help
If you come across a signpost, stile or gate that’s overgrown, please take a few minutes to cut back
any vegetation and growth so that the furniture is easy for people to use.
If you think major clearing works are required, please report via Explore Somerset. Please upload
photos if you can.
Dogs and Public Rights of Way
Dogs on walks along public rights of way are classed as “usual accompaniments”. In essence what
this means is that provided a dog is accompanied by its owner or keeper and it doesn’t stray off the
line of a path there’s nothing to stop a dog being walked along a public right of way.
Many of Somerset’s public rights of way cross fields used by farmers to grow crops or graze their
animals. On the whole, they welcome people walking their dogs along public rights of way.
Unfortunately, we often receive complaints about irresponsible dog owners that have not cleared up
after their dog, let them chase farm animals and wildlife, or damage crops.
The Countryside Code states:
Keep your dog under effective control to make sure it stays away from wildlife, livestock, horses and
other people unless invited. You should:
• always keep your dog on a lead or in sight
• be confident your dog will return on command
• make sure your dog does not stray from the path or area where you have right of access
• dog poo - bag it and bin it - any public waste bin will do
Always check local signs as there are situations when you must keep your dog on a lead for all or
part of the year. Local areas may also ban dogs completely, except for assistance dogs. Signs will tell
you about these local restrictions.
It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock.
On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1
March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no
livestock on the land. These are legal requirements.
A farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock. They may not be liable to
compensate the dog’s owner.
Let your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock or horses. Do not risk getting hurt
protecting your dog. Releasing your dog will make it easier for you both to reach safety.
Similarly, farmers and landowners also have a responsibility to ensure their working dogs and pets
are well behaved. Aggressive, protective or loose dogs can be very intimidating and so we encourage
all landowners and farmers to do all they can to make sure their dogs are kept under close control.
How you can help
Please let us know about any cases of dog fouling or out of control dogs along your local rights of
way network by reporting them via Explore Somerset. Although we don’t have any powers to tackle
these problems, we can pass on any reports to our Dog Warden colleagues. However, we may be
able to highlight any problems by attaching informative waymarker sized discs to access furniture
that advise people to clear up after their dog and/or to keep their dog on a lead, especially along
routes where there is problem with dog fouling or dogs chasing livestock.