A dachshund named Lula walking on a lead against a bright pink background with the bold yellow text “Pawsitive Impact."

Make a Pawsitive Impact

Jersey is home to around 10,000 dogs, with over a fifth of households welcoming a four-legged companion into their lives.

With so many wagging tails across the Island, it’s safe to say — we’re a place that truly goes mutts for dogs.

But great adventures come with great responsibility. Our countryside is a shared space, and we all have a role to play in keeping it safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Keep dogs on a lead where it matters, stick to the paths, and always clean up after them.

Let’s protect these beautiful spaces so they stay safe and enjoyable for all, on two legs and four!

Irish Terrier dog named Thor standing confidently with a flock of migratory birds in flight, set against a teal background.

Keeping me on a lead helps protects birds.

If they take flight, we’re too close.

Jersey’s coastline provides a vital resting spot for long-distance flyers. Birds travel thousands of miles, stopping here to refuel and recover before continuing their journey. When they’re disturbed, they waste precious energy flying away instead of feeding and resting.

  • Some migratory birds travel over 10,000 miles, losing up to half their body weight along the way. Safe coastal stopovers like Jersey are vital to their survival.
  • Disturbance can be fatal. Every time a bird takes flight to escape a dog, it wastes crucial energy needed.
  • Ground-nesting and resting birds are especially vulnerable. Uncontrolled dogs can cause stress, injury, or even force them to abandon their nests.
  • Lost energy means lost lives. Constant disturbance makes it even harder for them to recover.

By keeping their dogs on a lead, owners help protect these birds and allow them to focus on what matters most — rest, food, and recovery.

Rear view of an Irish Terrier dog with a vibrant farmland illustration, featuring potatoes and crops, with bold text reading “No Paws! No Poos!”

Farmland isn’t for my paws — or poops.

Let’s respect our farmers and stick to the paths.

The food that nourishes us comes from farmland. Most land is privately owned and is essential for growing crops and raising livestock that support the community. Dog waste can contaminate soil, harm livestock, and spread disease, which is why it’s important for owners to keep their dogs on designated paths and under control.

  • Dog waste carries deadly parasites; neospora, hookworms, ringworm, tapeworms, salmonella, and roundworm. All of these pose serious risks to animals and humans.
  • Contaminated land leads to infected animals. Parasites can spread to livestock, causing serious health issues and financial strain on farmers.
  • Contamination lasts long after waste is gone. Some parasite eggs remain in the soil for years, increasing the risk of infection.
  • The health risks can be serious. Roundworm can cause stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma, and even blindness in humans.

Help protect our countryside by respecting farmland, and those who care for it. Let’s ensure it remains safe, and protected for those who depend on it.

A dachshund named Lula stepping forward in a green countryside scene with a cow illustration, with bold text reading “Lead On.”

My curious nose can make other animals nervous.

I’ll stay on my lead to respect their space.

Dogs can get particularly excited around cows, sheep, and horses — it’s natural! But owners can help by keeping them on a lead. Livestock deserve a safe and worry-free environment. Unnecessary disturbance can cause stress, injury, and harm to their young, disrupting their wellbeing and the natural balance of the countryside.

  • Dogs chasing livestock may result in cause fatal injuries, and even a small amount of stress can lead to miscarriages, injury, or death, impacting farmers’ livelihoods.
  • Neospora, found in dog poo, is a leading cause of abortion in cattle. It costs Jersey Dairy over £20,000 per year.
  • A single dog attack can undo years of careful breeding, leading to lost lambs and long-term setbacks for farmers.
  • Letting a dog disturb livestock is an offence. Those responsible may face legal action.

By keeping dogs on a lead, owners contribute to a more respectful, peaceful environment for everyone to enjoy.

A dachshund’s rear view with an illustrated mountainous landscape, birds in flight, and bold pink text reading “Bag It! Bin It!”

When we’re out exploring Jersey’s special places…

Let’s keep them as stunning as they are.

Walks are always better when no dog waste is left behind, keeping the countryside clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. ‘Bag it! Bin it!’.

  • When seasonal beach restrictions are in place, more dogs are walked in the countryside, including increasing the pressure on our Sites of Special Interest and other environmentally sensitive areas.
  • An average dog produces 80 grams of waste per day, adding up to nearly 300 tonnes a year here in Jersey — that’s the same weight as 40 double decker buses!
  • Dog waste doesn’t vanish. Whether left loose or worse, wrapped in plastic, it pollutes the land and spoils the experience for everyone.
  • It’s the law. Failing to pick up after your dog, and disposing of its waste, can result in a hefty fine.

By cleaning up after dogs, owners help preserve these natural spaces, ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy them — without any unwelcome surprises.

Respect. Protect. Enjoy.

Jersey’s wild spaces are here for us all, but only if we respect them.

Keep dogs under control, clean up after them, and protect the landscapes that make this Island special.

Find out more about responsible dog ownership:

Dog Ownership Responsibilities Jersey Countryside Code Sites of Special Interest (SSI)