SPRING is here and it’s a glorious time to take your pooch for a walk during sunrise or sunset and enjoy the birdsong.
But a wildlife expert has revealed the £1,000 fine dog walkers could be faced with from March onwards if they are not careful when out and about.
Nesting season is between March 1st to July 31st each year, and it’s when birds up and down the UK start to attract mates, build nests and lay their first eggs.
However, letting your dog off the lead next to these nesting sites can have a serious impact.
According to Richard Green, wildlife expert and head of production at Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, “it’s important to keep your dog on a lead to protect vulnerable wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds”.
He added: It’s a legal requirement to keep dogs on leads no longer than two metres on open access land.”
Failing to keep your dog under control in designated areas during this period can also lead to fixed penalty notices of £100, with these fines reaching up to £1,000 if taken to court.
Depending on where you live, each local council’s rules and guidelines may differ slightly so it’s important to check before heading out.
But they can all enforce regulations such as Public Spaces Protection Orders for not following the rules.
This is because, “dog owners often don’t realise the wider impacts of their pets”, Richard said.
“Just the presence of a dog off lead can scare wildlife and livestock.
“Even a quick chase or scare can make them abandon their nests, leaving eggs or chicks to die.”
Even if you’re dog is well-behaved, it can accidentally disturb wildlife whilst it enjoys the outdoors.
Richard recommends using a short lead when walking your dog, and sticking to paths.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Moment terrier is rescued 3 DAYS after it became trapped underground as owner pulls the scared pooch out with his hands” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6370127794112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]If your dog is used to bounding around off a lead, Richard said “shorter walks with lots of sniffing opportunities can be just as stimulating for dogs as running off-lead”.
Also, as the weather gets that bit warmer, reconsider letting your dog enjoy a paddle in a pond, river or other body of water.
Not only can it unsettle the wildlife living there, but if your dog recently had chemical-based flea treatment, it can contaminate the water.
Why is it important to protect birds during nesting season?
This is especially important during the spring, because many birds travel long distances to nest in the UK.
Ultimately, birds see dogs as predators and just one encounter can stop them from breeding in that location, causing their numbers to drop.
Richard explained further to Country Living: “Many ground-nesting birds, like nightjars, willow warblers, and meadow pipits, rely on undisturbed habitats during the breeding season.
“Familiar garden birds, such as dunnocks and blackbirds, can also nest close to the ground, making them vulnerable to unintentional damage from dogs off leads.”
It’s not just the countryside, forests, woodlands or parks you need to be careful – it’s also beaches.
Species like oystercatchers and little terns often camouflage their eggs amongst the pebbles, which is why they can easily be disrupted by a dog off lead.