Dog owners could face £1000 fines for dogs off leads in nesting season

As of 1 March, dog owners who do not keep their dogs on leads shorter than 2m in key bird breeding areas could face four figure fines.

During the nesting season, which lasts from 1 March to 31 July, local councils can enforce regulations on open access land such as Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) to prevent free roaming dogs from disturbing nesting sites. Breaching these orders can result in a £100 fixed penalty notice or up to £1000 fine if the case goes to court. 

Richard Green, wildlife expert and head of production at Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies said dog owners often don’t realise the wider impacts of their pets. “Even the best-behaved dogs can accidentally disturb wildlife if they’re off the lead,” he said. “And just one encounter can stop them from breeding or cause their numbers to drop. Using a short lead and keeping to paths can make a big difference to keeping wildlife safe.”

Senior adviser to the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mike Swan told ST: “Free running dogs can be hugely disruptive to wildlife, so I support this initiative. It’s easy to think that your hound is just having a bit of harmless fun, but wildlife does not see it that way. Many species are instinctively fearful of dogs, regarding them as potential predators. Ground nesting birds are especially prone to this, and even if they do not permanently desert, their eggs or chicks are much more vulnerable to other predators when they are off the nest.”