DOG lead season has returned across the conurbation’s heathlands as BCP Council remind residents they must keep dogs on leads and pick up waste.
In order to “protect our precious wildlife”, dogs must be kept on leads from March 1 to July 31 on reserves that are characterised and dominated by heathers, gorse and grasses.
Rules state that residents and visitors using their open access rights must keep their dogs on short leads of no more than two metres from March to August each year and all year around livestock. These areas include Canford Heath, Hengistbury Head, Turbary Common, Corfe Hills Heathland, Ham Common, Talbot Heath and Bourne Valley.
The council is also taking additional steps to mitigate the impact of dog waste on local nature reserves.
As part of their new campaign to tackle dog waste, the council says rangers have recently been utilising biodegradable red chalk spray to highlight areas where dog that has been left out to fester and sully sites. This visual demonstrates problem areas to other dog owners and aims to encourages people to be responsible.
Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “This is an incredibly special time of the year for our heathlands and open spaces. Species from as far away as Africa migrate to our heaths to breed and nests are under construction. Rare reptiles also emerge, to bask in the sun and hunt, with invertebrate life utilising the bounty of unique flora as it begins to bloom. By keeping your dog on its lead, you can help protect our precious wildlife at this critical time.
“We also know that dog waste can have a really negative impact on the environment and this has always been an issue in need of our attention. As well as being unpleasant to see, it is dangerous to other animals and children due to harmful bacteria and parasites. As visitors are not actively searching for dog waste on their walks, it is easy to miss quite how much gets left on our reserves. It is your responsibility to clean up after your dogs and against the law to not do so.”
Visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/heathlands for more information.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel