National Sheep Association supports BudApp to help raise awareness and reduce sheep worrying incidents

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is pleased to be working with dog walking app BudApp to help improve awareness of livestock presence on walking routes and encourage responsible dog ownership in the countryside.

The collaboration sees useful information incorporated into BudApp, helping users understand when livestock may be present on their chosen route and providing practical guidance on how to walk safely and responsibly around sheep.

Sheep worrying by dogs remains a significant issue for the UK sheep sector, causing distress, injury and death to livestock. Even dogs that are normally well behaved can instinctively chase sheep, and attacks can have devastating consequences for both animals and farmers. Pregnant ewes may miscarry when chased, while lambs and adult sheep can suffer severe injuries or be killed. The financial and emotional toll on farming families can be considerable.

Recent years have seen growing public awareness of the issue, but incidents continue to occur across the country. NSA believes that providing clear information to dog walkers before and during their countryside visits is an important part of reducing these incidents.

Through the partnership, BudApp has introduced livestock information cards that are automatically displayed on walks where sheep have been identified as present. The app also enables farmers and other land owners themselves to flag livestock locations and indicate preferred access routes, helping walkers make informed decisions while respecting working farmland.

BudApp has also created a dedicated Responsible Dog Walking resource, developed in collaboration with NSA, which provides guidance on countryside access, livestock safety and the responsibilities of dog owners when walking near farm animals.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: "Most dog owners want to do the right thing, but they may not always realise the impact their dog's behaviour can have on livestock. By working with BudApp, we're helping to ensure walkers receive practical information exactly when and where they need it. Better awareness and understanding can make a real difference in reducing sheep worrying incidents and improving relationships between farmers and countryside users."

BudApp founder Christian Jones adds: "Dog walkers don't set out to cause harm - most just don't know livestock are there until it's too late. By working with NSA, we're able to give people that information at the point of decision, right inside the app. Our goal is to make countryside walks safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone - including the farmers who care for the land and animals that make those walks so special."  

As part of the project, BudApp has also produced an animated explainer video demonstrating how farmers can flag sheep on public footpaths and record preferred walking routes across their land, helping ensure the information presented to walkers remains accurate and up to date.

NSA encourages sheep farmers to make use of available tools that help inform the public about livestock presence and supports initiatives that promote responsible dog ownership and safer countryside access.

Information on BudApp can be found at www.budapp.co.uk.

For further information about sheep worrying and advice for dog owners, visit NSA's public information pages at: https://www.sheep.org.uk/public/.