Hello everyone,
I would like to know if anyone has had any experience with what I'm about to write and interested with the outcome.
As most of you know as I mention it often, there is a big walkway and fields the back of our house than runs the length of the estate - and takes up a lot of it. Well this last week I have been told numerous times of how someone has been laying baited foods, presumably for the foxes, but from I've been told so far it has also claimed 4 dogs' lives.
There are foxes up here (as there are everywhere) and by the stink by some of the bushes you know they're there, so presumably this food is being placed inside the bushes along the walkway.
Things like this make me so sad and angry! But, where would I find it in 'black and white' how the law reacts to such acts?
I've reported it to the council and have had contact with the Senior Principal Environmental Health Officer, who has asked me for more details as he needs to pass more on to the Press Office too.
I'm telling every dog owner I come across and its being passed on - many already know so word gets round quick which is good. And anyone with a dog that ventures by bushes who's off lead I make sure they know and most owners are putting them back on!
Anyway, has anyone had any dealings with such things and have I done and doing as much as I can about it?
Other than putting signs on the lamposts I think I have.
Hi Paul.
I am not a big fan of foxes, but am definitely against anyone putting poison down. This is a link to RSPCA as site which quotes countryside act.
Fox poisoning is illegal
Sarah
http://www.rspca.org.uk/in-action/issuesindepth/laws/wildlifeandcountryside
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/
Hi Paul
I have never had any personal dealings, but you have made the situation known to the RSPB for a start.
If you believe that there is poisoning going on, I would report it to all animal welfare groups, and someone who knows your area will look into the matter at hand.
Any animal will surcome to poisoning and sadly BoP's will be the included victims too - rat poisoning = one dead Owl
I hope that they get to the bottom of the issue asap
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Thanks for the link Sarah. I'd thought right on all counts, which is reassuring from my point of view.
Kathy - yes you are right there, and that was also something I mentioned in my email to the EHO.
Since he mentioned the Press Office in his email to me, I'm curious as to what they may be doing. Hopefully I'll find out!
It has just dawned on me that the walkway is owned and managed by two separate councils as it crosses over on boundaries (crazy I know), I'll make sure to ask the EHO if he's contacted his counterpart in the other council!
It has saddened and angered a lot of dog walkers (I've been walking that walkway and fields for nearly 12 years and know many!) but it cannot go on, I for one won't stand for it - I fight for things like this! They must have gotten sick of my name at the council over the years regarding that walkway, if anything needs sorting rather than just moan to others I contact those that needs contacting!
So after contacting the council, should I contact the various animal charities etc?
Hi Paul,
This is dreadful. Every animal in the vicinity is in danger, maybe even children. I would contact the local press myself, I'm sure your local paper would be interested, or even your local radio, and those whose dogs have been affected would back you. Are there any CCTV cameras around?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Sparrow,
no there isn't any CCTV on there, and its like we have been saying how they could be going on there at all hours. Especially since a lot of the houses that back on to the walkway have gates directly onto it (behind the bushes - burglars' dream if you ask me).
Saying that about children, there is a school that has a gate onto the walkway and they have rather large grounds with trees and bushes and I have seen the children playing in the longer grass. I'm working to early and finishing too late to be able to go to the school.
I think I will contact the local press, if its in print they may well push the council(s) that little bit harder.
Hi Paul, I am really sorry to read all about this and well done to you for trying to put a stop to it. I think contacting the local press is a good idea. Apart from anything else, you say you aren't able to contact the school due to your working hours so a feature in the local paper might draw it to the attention of the school and also the parents of children that attend the school. Good luck with it and do keep us updated as to how you are progressing.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi Paul, This all sounds pretty shocking! As mentioned by others in this thread, Foxes do still have legal protection under the t&c's of the Wildilfe and Countryside Act 1981. They are covered by the terms of a general licence so "control" can only be carried out if there is some form of proven risk to public health and safety or for protecting livestock etc...even that said, control is only legally permitted if other non-lethal measures and deterrents have been seen to be used and failed, otherwise as you describe this it is a clear breach of the law and an offender would be liable of a £5000 fine if sufficent evidence can be gathered. This doc from Kirklee's council is well worth a read
As part of the National Wildlife Crime Unit each regional constabulary has one or two appointed wildlife crime/liaison officers. I'd certainly recommend that you report this to them to see if the police can follow up an investigation.
No excuse for poisoning but it is surely anti social to have dogs off of lead especially now nesting is near.
I would put up signs along the walkway to warn people of the danger of poisons that have been placed on the land that way those that use the walkway will be aware of the risks and be able to take precautions and to keep dogs under control and children close by. Also warn people not to touch any dead animals they may find. It may also be worthwhile trying to let people living close-by know in case they have cats that go out as they would also be at risk and it may make them reconsider allowing their cats to roam.
You may want to contact Campaign against accidental or illegal poisoning, they have a hotline you can call to report your suspicions - http://www.caip-uk.info/default.aspx as whoever is putting down the poison can't be doing it legally if it is on a public walkway.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Firstly, my apologies Lloyd for missing you out on my last post. Thank you for your help and for that link. It made for interesting reading. Again, forgive my rudeness!
After having to send another email myself, I had a reply off the Senior Principal Environmental Health Officer from one of the two local councils that are responsible for the walkway.
Obviously my information to him is sketchy as its just what I have been told through other dog walkers so he said there has to be more evidence and as he put it 'even a "culprit"' they could investigate.
The EHO spoke to an Officer at The Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning of Wildlife who said that in order for them to investigate they need a call from the person finding the animals (or indeed, the dog/cat owners) as soon as possible so they can allocate an Inspector and deal with the case.
He also said they weren't too happy with him referring the case based my enquiry - presumably because its been a word-of-mouth situation and no evidence for them to see.
The EHO also spoke to an RSPCA Inspector who has taken the details and is checking their database to see if there are any other similar reports and if this one can be added to any investigation they may wish to carry out.
He's told me to pass the message round (which to be honest I would have done either way!) and left me with contact details for CAIP and RSPCA.
Today when I went a walk and met up with a few people I see regular they were telling me a few more things - especially about someone who lives backing onto the walkway who has been seen by a number of people (wit and without dogs) acting suspiciously. Recently there has been a patch of dirt where a Vixen has been seen numerous times with cubs, it should be grass and someone has turned it over. This week said man was seen by a lady there with a shovel and putting something in the dirt, she warned someone with a dog (who told me about it today). He then went back through the bushes back into his garden.
Even if he wasn't putting anything down etc, being council-owned/maintained land and not his, he shouldn't be digging on it anyway surely?
There has also been a fair bit of food around that particular gate too - whole slices of bread (which are still there) and bits of cake too.
I haven't had a good look around to see if there's anything else.
I've asked the EHO if its possible to put some notices up on the lamp posts warning people what is happening and if they need to be council headed, and if so if he does them i will put them up.
Knowing my luck if I done it off my own back I'd get done for fly tipping or littering!
It doesn't appear anyone is prepared to come out and look for the obvious signs of poison or bait being laid - surely someone from Environmental Health would know what to look for better than us. But for now it looks like it is up to us to make sure everyone knows and is careful. It may be too late for some dogs and cats, but we can stop it happening to any more!
Sorry if I've rambled on too much everyone!