Insurance
Three contentious issues
Dogs
In previous years, the information sent by Central Office to Areas and Groups has given the impression that dogs are not allowed on Ramblers walks. Following a clarification of the policy for 2006/07, this is no longer the case.
A walker taking a dog on a led walk does not invalidate the insurance cover for that walk.
Individual dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their dog is kept under control. There are guidelines that apply to dogs in the outdoors and which outline what is meant for a dog to be “under control”.
In some places (eg. some access land in England and Wales) there may be
restrictions against dogs at certain times of the year or through local
bye-laws. It is the dog owners who are responsible for being aware of their
responsibilities and adhering to them.
Information about dogs in the outdoors is available from Central Office and online on a
Walking in Britain fact sheet
Information is also available on www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk and for Scotland on www.outdooraccess-scotland.com .
We recommend that dogs are kept under close control at all times, and kept on a lead on roads, near livestock or sensitive wildlife, where the terrain requires careful footwork and wherever the law or other official regulations require it. Dog owners must ensure their dog does not alarm other people and they must clean up after their dog. We encourage leaders to remind walkers with dogs of their responsibilities at the start of the walk.
Insurance liabilities aside, individual walk leaders or Groups are not under any obligation to allow dogs on walks and it is up to each Area or Group to decide their policy on this matter. Many Groups have plenty of good experiences allowing walkers with dogs to take part in their walks.