Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads and under close control now that birds are nesting, species are emerging from hibernation and to protect grazing livestock.

Experts say dogs off leads and away from owners is one of the biggest causes of wildlife disturbance – this is particularly problematic when many species are breeding and vulnerable either on or near the ground.

Ground-nesting birds such as curlew, woodcock, and skylark are particularly at risk. Research shows that 66% of ground-nesting birds are in decline in the UK, compared to 31% of other species. Other species such as hedgehogs, hares and deer are all also at risk of disturbance, injury or even death.

The impacts of dogs in wild places include trampling nests and scaring adult birds away from their young which can have devasting consequences because vulnerable chicks can perish if left alone for too long. Disturbance can also affect feeding and foraging behaviour because wildlife is less likely to breed and feed in areas where dogs are encountered.

Loose dogs can also be a threat to sheep, cows and other grazing livestock – with regular problems reported on land owned by the Trust, including two attacks on sheep at nature reserves in Yorkshire in the last week. 

Several of the Trust’s nature reserves are on public rights of way or welcome dogs on leads – but sadly increasing instances of dogs disturbing wildlife, trampling rare plants and nests as well as the risk posed to livestock have led the charity to request that dogs are not exercised at many of their nature reserves, and have issued a plea ahead of spring.

Rachael Bice, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive says;

“Dog walking is one of the best reasons to get outdoors, feel great and enjoy our beautiful countryside – and we thank every responsible dog owner who keeps their dog on a lead and encourages others to do the same. Wildlife is suffering huge declines and dogs in wild places can cause problems, especially when many species are breeding and resting close to the ground.

I’m a dog owner and always keep my dog on a lead during nesting season and in nature reserves where there are lots of exciting scents. I know he has strong hunting instincts and I would feel awful if he were to cause damage to wildlife or livestock, so it’s up to me to be responsible and moderate his behaviour especially at this time of year.”

Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at Dogs Trust, says:

“A countryside dog walk is understandably popular, especially as we move into the warmer months. But owners have a responsibility to keep their dog under control, including around livestock and wildlife, to ensure they do not worry other animals or stray onto neighbouring land for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

“This can be managed by ensuring dogs are kept on a short lead, and close to their owners, whenever livestock are nearby, within seeing, hearing or smelling distance or whenever their presence is likely to be expected. It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have recorded multiple problems with dogs chasing grazing livestock, including two in the last two weeks;

Sheep attacked at Stirley nature reserve, Huddersfield

Stirley reserve, once a dairy farm sits high above Huddersfield with magnificent views, and includes a popular education centre and large fields, with footpaths and tracks. It’s also popular with local people including dog walkers. However, despite signs up at every entrance asking people to keep dogs on leads, people still allow their dogs to roam free and there is a real problem with dog fouling too, for visitors, livestock and wildlife.

Shockingly, last weekend a dog attacked one of the Trust’s Hebridean grazing sheep at the reserve’s Lake field. The team was distressed to find the animal with a deep bite wound on its neck and showing signs of stress shortly after the morning check at 10am. Karen McDiarmid, team leader for reserves in the west added;

“Our sheep are precious to us and must be allowed to get on with their job. They are expert mowers who help to keep our lovely meadows and wildflowers looking glorious for everyone to enjoy, including for butterflies and pollinating insects, swallows and bats later in spring. The sheep recovered this time but situations like this are deeply distressing and cost us time and money in vets fees – precious resources that a charity like ours shouldn’t have to find. We ask again for everyone to please keep their dogs on leads, encourage others to do the same and keep to the routes we provide and maintain.

“Responsible dog owners and dogs on leads are very welcome on the footpaths and routes we’ve laid out at Stirley but sadly there are still too many dogs bounding freely across this reserve disturbing wildlife. Very soon skylark, lapwing, brown hares, willow warblers, field vole should be nesting in grassland areas and we’re desperately trying to provide them with a safe place to raise their young.”

Pregnant ewes chased at Kilnsea Wetlands, East Yorkshire

Kilnsea wetland is a beautiful reserve near Spurn which includes ponds and meadows with emerging spring flowers, butterflies, and ground nesting birds later in the spring, a popular and peaceful place with wildlife watchers. Dogs are permitted on the reserve paths but only on leads. The sheep which graze the reserve, to improve biodiversity can be in lamb between November and April. 

In the last week, pet dogs have been allowed to chase sheep here, which is disastrous for pregnant ewes, and has understandably angered the local grazier. Last year a seal was also bitten by a family’s dog on the beach at Spurn. 

Andy Gibson, Humber officer for the Trust, said;

“Curlews, skylarks and brown hare live in the fields and saltmarsh and on quiet sections of beach and in long grass – there aren’t many homes left for them. Allowing dogs to run free in these places is just disastrous – eggs trampled, small mammals eaten, seal pups bitten before many owners may even be aware of what’s happened.

“Dogs must never be allowed to chase sheep – responsible dog owners know this but it’s becoming more frequent. The impact of dogs can be significantly reduced if they are on a lead in areas like this and wherever there could be resting and nesting birds and animals. We’re imploring people to follow this rule.” 

Responsible dog owners can help wildlife if they:

• Keep dogs on short leads on nature reserves and in the wider countryside
• only visit reserves with dogs under control where they are permitted and always keep to paths. Nature reserves are rare places where wildlife is given the priority.
• Clean up after animals and dispose of dog waste in bins or at home. Dog waste is dangerous for wildlife as it can carry diseases, scare away animals and increases nutrients in soils above healthy levels, affecting the natural balance of fragile habitats.
• Prevent dogs jumping in ponds; this can disturb aquatic wildlife, and insecticides found in dog flea treatments pollute waterways and kill wildlife too.

The Countryside Code says that dogs must be controlled to avoid disturbing farm animals or wildlife. Farmers are, by law, entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals. The law also states you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than two metres between 1st March and 31st July when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.