LEADING THE WAY FOR NATURE.

Why as Dog Owners We Need to Keep Our Four-Legged Friends on the Lead this Spring.

It’s a difficult truth – but humans and, in particular, dogs can cause catastrophic damage to nature and wildlife when walking in the outdoors. Most notably during the spring as nature is waking up and birds and animals are busy breeding and nesting.

It’s common knowledge that dogs must be kept on leads around livestock. Any dog seen to be worrying farm animals can be lawfully shot and killed by a farmer or landowner. Obviously, no one wants that. Without livestock, forest rangers and nature reserve assistants might not have the same powers but the need is just as great.

There is a whole host of endangered and vulnerable ground nesting birds and animals that need peace and protection in order to thrive and survive. An overenthusiastic dog can upset a nest and kill young simply by vigorously running past. Let alone if they exercise their natural prey instinct and hunt and kill vulnerable birds or animals.

Then there’s the colossal amount of dog poo and wee which can upset the natural balance of nature’s ecosystems. But it doesn’t end there; endangered wild flowers (think bluebells) can be trampled and destroyed, bug homes busted-up, and fungi obliterated. All elements that are absolutely vital to mother nature’s cycle of life.

But what can we do?

The law states that on, open access common land, dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters from March 1st to 31st of July. This is a great start, but there is more we can do. We can:

1. Stick to marked paths

2. Always pick up dog poo

3. If possible, prevent your dog from jumping in ponds which can disturb wildlife and pollute the water

4. Don’t walk a large number of dogs on nature reserves, common land and woodland.

It’s satisfying to know that each of us in our own small way can play a part in preserving the magnificent places and wildlife that the UK has to offer.

“The law states that on open access common land dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters from March 1st to 31st of July”

Words by Mide Carter.