Wildlife and dogs

Then perhaps nature reserves should be blocked off from everyone - just walking through a reserve disturbs wildlife, children can be noisy and disturb wildlife. Putting in footpaths, hides, boardwalks etc disturbs wildlife.  Perhaps no one should ever set foot in a nature reserve so only the nature can enjoy it and nothing is ever disturbed (except by other wildlife of course).  Wildlife isn't confined to nature reserves afterall, so the fix can be got elsewhere.

I've been following this thread with interest, as someone who does not own dogs but does appreciate their appeal. I have often been left dumbfounded by the blatant disregard for other people of some dog owners which like it or not  tarnishes the reputation of the whole dog owning community. I have examples!

This first one left me totally speechless! I won't mention the reserve where this happened but lets just say it is very well signed alerting dog owners where they can and cannot go. I was taking the family out to show them the amazing winter gatherings of wildfowl, waders and was hopeful of some raptors or owls. On settling down a massive movement from right to left started in front of the viewing area, we thought, it must be a raptor and a big one at that...when it was pointed out to me that in front of the hides walking along was a couple, dog off the lead. They must have scaled a bank and walked past numerous signs to have made it to this point. After a polite word to ask them to relocate to the path they did so, or so we thought. As all the birds had departed that section, we moved on a few minutes after. At the next section of the reserve, low and behold, no birds yet again as couple and dog had again gone over the bank and in front of the hides as soon as they thought they were out of our view! After another quiet word with them we were showered with abuse, although they did leave.

Undoubtedly the sight of a dog to wildfowl is terrifying, it's a predator and they will leave, they see humans as a threat as well but a dog will clear them out. Do I blame the dog in this instance, no. The dog can't read signs, it is a sad fact that some people just don't know how to behave on nature reserves where sensitive wildlife exists.

Second example, again I won't mention the location, summer months, lot's of holiday makers, lot's of signs again asking for dogs to be kept under close control and also clearly marked areas to keep people off shingle banks where plovers, oystercatchers etc could be nesting. As soon as the warden clocked off for the day, a family come with what looks close to the biggest dog in the world and let it straight off the lead and in it goes straight into the enclosed areas. Now to give some credit to the owner on pointing this out to them, they called the dog back and after about 15 minutes it did come back.

After these incidents you might think that I was anti-dog or anti dog owner, far from it, I still want a dog at some point and I would want to be able to take him or her with me when I go out and about. I don't think banning people and dogs from every nature reserve is a sensible solution. For a start, different reserves have different access, species and habitats and that's why rules around dogs on reserves differ from one place to the next. Blocking nature reserves from everyone will further disconnect humans from nature which personally I feel would be one of the worst things to happen for future generations. Imagine a whole generation that cannot identify a red admiral or doesn't know what an acorn looks like, we are already close to this and our nature reserves should be places for wildlife and educating people about its importance. Maybe nature reserves with areas dedicated to childrens play or dog walking is the way forward, what do you think to that idea?

Part of the RSPB mission is to find ways to show people wildlife, to reconnect them with nature and to help them understand why it is important to save it. What would be really great would be to have some feedback from you all as to how we can achieve this on reserves, what can we do to make those that 'don't get it', like in the examples above, get it?

Basically, it's all down to responsibility, and it unfortunately seems that there's quite a large proportion of people out there that don't want to or maybe don't know how to, take responsibility for their own actions, or those of others in their 'care', such as children (I'm a firm believer that children should be made to and consequently learn how to behave and keep quiet in any setting where there is wildlife, as my parents taught me), and dogs.

In both cases (children and dogs), it is a matter of education and control. Of course both should be allowed to run riot and play, basically have fun and let off steam, but there are times and places for doing so.

Another thing that sadly seems to be lacking greatly nowadays is respect for others (without even going as far as talking about empathy). If these people had any sort of respect for other people, or indeed wildlife, there wouldn't be these incidences in the first place and certainly there wouldn't be the risk of having abuse hurled at you if anything is said!!

Thankfully, the vast majority DO take responsibility and DO respect others but as ever, it only takes one to spoil it for others!

Very well said MarJus! Totally agree.

I live in a semi rural area with lots of public paths and wild-life isn't disturbed, if you keep the dogs to the path.We also respect that the fields are often planted up so the farmer doesn't want dogs running amok anymore, than on a wild-life reserve.I would never take my dogs anywhere they weren't allowed and would certainly put them on a lead when required, and yes, kids too on reins lol.Having recently been on holiday, watching children chasing and harassing the ducks infuriated me and not a word from their parents.

Having visited Washington Wetlands often, i couldn't imagine walking my dogs there as i wouldn't dream of distressing the birds.

Like Linda, dogs have been a huge part of our lives and we were very fortunate to have been able to take them to work with us too so 24/7, and loved every minute but they were all well trained and had to be, as they spent a lot of time with customers and children  patting them etc.

The signs i was talking of in my earlier post was regarding the dangers of seals attacking dogs.I don't know whether the guy shooting ducks was allowed to do what he was doing but i assume he knew there were seals there.I certainly wouldn't want my dog in water where there were breeding seals about, even if it was allowed.

Ian H said:

I don't think banning people and dogs from every nature reserve is a sensible solution. For a start, different reserves have different access, species and habitats and that's why rules around dogs on reserves differ from one place to the next.

These are my sentiments exactly. 

I agree entirely that dogs should be banned from reserves or specific areas of reserves where the birds/animals are close up and personal, but not otherwise.

In many cases (certainly in mine), the purpose of visiting a reserve is to see the birds and wildlife, NOT to excercise the dog. My dog is an incumbrance to me on reserves to be honest, but as all the many reserves I have visited up and down the country are whilst we are on holiday, I have no choice but to take her with me. I cannot leave her behind in the holiday accommodation and cannot leave her in the car unless the conditions are right - and then only for a short period. I welcome those reserves that allow dogs on leads because otherwise I would never get to visit any - and I cannot be the only person in the country in this position. I must also add that most of the RSPB reserves allow dogs on leads on the main paths and even provide water bowls round the visitor centre. Thank you RSPB.

Dog owners know their own dogs. If the dog is unruly, keep it on a lead. If it is well trained, and can be trusted off lead, fine, but no dogs should be off lead in reserves, whether well behaved or not. It is in all dogs nature, to chase anything that moves, just that some are behaved enough not to. I like dogs, and love nature reserves, and have no objections to seeing dogs in reserves, but they must be kept on leads, and on designated paths.

I agree with most of what has been said on both sides , except in my experience the irresponsible owners are far from being a minority. Fenton's owner was far more typical.