Trainer wants to raise awareness around walking dogs in Lakes

28-year-old Alexander Willcox runs ARW K9 Training in Kendal, which started in October last year. 

He recently shared a graphic photo on his Facebook page of two dogs shot dead and three dead sheep in an unknown part of the UK, which he blamed on ineffective recall or failure to put the dogs on a lead. 

He said that the issue is also prevalent in Cumbria, with tourists not knowing how to handle their pets around livestock. 

Alexander said: "We live in Cumbria - this is one of the biggest areas in the UK for livestock farming. Because we are such a heavily populated tourist area we get tourists that don't respect the common rules of being around here.

"We have lambing season which they might not have in other parts of the UK. 

"My partner is a dog walker, walking up to five dogs at a time in safe areas to do so. She allows them off leads but with one hundred per cent full recall. 

READ MORE: Friends of the Lake District receive complaints about dog walking at the Helm

"They have been trained to work around livestock. There should be more rules and guidelines. Someone can go out and buy a Border Collie but they don't understand it needs to be trained. 

"They can't go and buy a dog and think 'oh it's ok it's a Collie, it is meant to be running around sheep.' Those dogs have been conditioned to be around sheep. It is a different mindset for the dog."

Alexander argues that correctly used e-collar, also known as shock collar, training is an effective method of training working dogs to respond to recall while off a lead around livestock.

Last year, 107 sheep farmers signed a letter urging the Welsh government to reconsider the ban on e-collars. 

The issue is controversial. The devices will be banned in February next year in England based on guidance from DEFRA.

Animal rights groups and some training groups such as The Kennel Club support the ban on the grounds of causing unnecessary pain and suffering for dogs.