Conservationist Peter Roberts renews calls for dogs on leads in the Forest to protect rare birds
A LEADING New Forest conservationist has called on dogs to be kept on leads to protect rare birds.
Conservationist and historian Peter Roberts has called on Forestry England to change bylaws to require all dogs to be walked on a short lead during the ground-nesting bird season.
The New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) rejected his call, however, and said the problems were from a “tiny minority who do not behave".
Speaking at the Verderers’ Court, Mr Roberts, former chair of the New Forest Association, pointed to a recent incident, reported in the A&T, when an unrestrained dog ate a nest of curlew eggs.
He argued it was time to take a “stand for nature”, adding: “Saying this incident is lamentable and ‘only a few are the problem’ is not the correct response.
“The so-called Dog Walking Code is fine but the transgressors either don’t read it or don’t care.
“Change the headline and get the real message across that the New Forest and its wildlife really matters.”
He continued: “Over my lifetime on the Forest I have seen dog attacks on people, deer, calves and foals as well as witnessing a vast increase in the number of dog walkers and a withdrawal of wildlife.
“Will our grandchildren see curlew, lapwings, nightjars on the Forest or will this needless carnage continue?”
He also took aim at NFDOG, which represents around 1,200 local dog owners, saying the first step was for pet owners to take responsibility.
Describing NFDOG’s motto “On the Forest, off the lead” as “highly inappropriate”, Mr Roberts claimed: “It gives out a message to all that unaccountable behaviour is accepted here. It is not.”
In response, NFDOG spokesperson David Bennett told the A&T: “It is really important that all dog owners are responsible and have their dog under control whether they are off the lead or as is sometimes necessary on the lead.
“But the NFDOG logo and motto is 20 years old and represents a core value that the organisation exists to protect the freedoms which dog walkers and all others enjoy across the New Forest.”
He added: “There are tens of thousands of dog walks undertaken in the New Forest every day and there is a tiny minority who do not behave and they should be tackled.
“It is the same as some motorists driving more than 40mph at a proven risk to their own and animals’ lives – but we don’t ban all motorists from the Forest, we tackle the problem.”
