Keep dogs on leads at nature reserves, says trust

Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets on leads at nature reserves after a series of incidents where dogs have attacked people and animals.

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire put out the caution after a sheep was killed by a loose dog at Pegsdon Hills nature reserve in Bedfordshire, despite signage stating dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

It added the Nene Valley Special Protection Area (SPA), which covers the Nene Wetlands, Summer Leys and Titchmarsh nature reserves, has employed an officer to engage with dog walkers.

Matt Jackson, the trust's conservation director, said: "No-one deserves to feel fear at work or on a nature reserve."

"Our conservation officers are simply doing their job and visitors are enjoying these special places," he added.

Other incidents include a small dog being killed by a larger dog at Trumpington Meadows in Cambridge, a person being bitten by a dog at Beechwoods Nature Reserve near Cambridge and a reserve officer injured by a dog at Waresley Wood.

A study carried out in the Nene Valley found dogs let off the lead were four times more likely to cause a disturbance to dogs on leads.

It also found that out of 619 incidents, dogs off the lead were the most common cause of bird disturbances and there had been areas on the reserve where birds had not nested despite it being a good habitat.

When sharing the news of the sheep found dead at the Pegsdon Hills reserve, Mr Jackson said it caused distress to staff members.

He said: "It's the latest in a line of similar incidents and has caused distress for staff members who work hard to care for these animals and the reserve."

He said while responsible dog walkers were welcome, the reserves were for wildlife and people to enjoy.

He said: "We're wildlife conservationists and we love all animals, many of us have dogs of our own... our rules state clearly that all nature reserves - aside from a small number of designated areas - are for dogs on leads only, at all times of the year."

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