Dartmoor dogs on leads consultation

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
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It seems likely that from March 1st to July dogs will have to be on a lead in the National Park. It’s a pain for me personally as it means I won’t walk there in that time frame. I have survived for 51 years without walking there so I expect I’ll cope.
Sadly I entirely see the need. I think Exmoor already has this in place. Not just for sheep and lambs but nesting birds too.
It’s annoying as I dare say people who didn’t have obedient dogs before won’t put them on leads. As usual the law abiding will suffer.
 
I completely agree with this. I ride over commons, in the spring and summer we stick to tracks.
The amount of loose dogs putting up ground nesting birds here is deplorable. We are so fortunate to have such a diverse amount of wildlife here so close to big towns, even the likes of the Dartford Warbler but equally there are many who let loose dogs romp all over the place, ignoring any signage and then getting quite indignant about removing dear dogs when requested.
 
It’s a massively emotive subject. I live near a honeypot part of Dartmoor (Haytor) and this small area is seething with people, dogs, horses, cyclists, picnickers etc.

On one hand I want the nests to remain undisturbed and livestock not to by worried, and on the other I want my dogs to have a good run off lead. I want to still hear the nightjars calling at night on the little common close to home, but I know that scrambler bikes, cyclists, horse riders, dog walkers all use the common too, and they probably won’t stop - they might not even realise it IS a common.

I do wonder what difference this byelaw would make to hunting on the moor.

edited to say @Clodagh the rule has been leads during those months for quite a while, the new rule is short leads only (Rew’s short lead arrived today!)
 
Walking in the Malverns the other day, there were signs saying dogs must be on leads. I didn’t walk far enough to see livestock, but I suppose it makes sense. It’s a shame if we have well-behaved dogs but I totally understand that you can‘t let dogs near animals that will get stressed and are someone’s livelihood, not to mention the impact on wildlife.
 
There was a similar ruling in the areas of Macclesfield Forest and the Goyt Valley (also National Park) two years back. Every sign was removed, again and again, and few people took any notice. Everything went back to how it was. I hope Dartmoor is more successful.

I am completely sick of having to explain to dog walkers what a threat dogs (or their extendable leads!) are under your feet if you have sight loss. Common response is 'so walk somewhere else'
.
 
A number of shooting and agricultural estates where I live have signs up asking that dogs be kept on lead. Not many take any notice tbh. I think close control is fine (without an actual lead) if the dog is well trained and doesn’t race around through the undergrowth or chase sheep but it’s too large an area to actively police.
 
I was pleased to see that 14,000 acre Lyme Park (National Trust) has the 'dogs on short leads' rule in place from I April to 31 July annually to protect ground nesting birds.

The guidance was being respected when we visited earlier this year.

There is an area of woodland reserved for off lead walking.

Dartmoor is glorious, of course, but so very busy now. Was rather quieter walking the family retrievers there 50-60 years ago!
 
Tiddlypom said:
I was pleased to see that 14,000 acre Lyme Park (National Trust) has the 'dogs on short leads' rule in place from I April to 31 July annually to protect ground nesting birds.

The guidance was being respected when we visited earlier this year.

There is an area of woodland reserved for off lead walking.

Dartmoor is glorious, of course, but so very busy now. Was rather quieter walking the family retrievers there 50-60 years ago!
Click to expand...

It’s quiet once your 200 yards away from your car! ?
 
Tiddlypom said:
I was pleased to see that 14,000 acre Lyme Park (National Trust) has the 'dogs on short leads' rule in place from I April to 31 July annually to protect ground nesting birds.

The guidance was being respected when we visited earlier this year.

There is an area of woodland reserved for off lead walking.

Dartmoor is glorious, of course, but so very busy now. Was rather quieter walking the family retrievers there 50-60 years ago!
Click to expand...
We only met one person on our hike last week!
 
Spotherisk said:
I do wonder what difference this byelaw would make to hunting on the moor.
Click to expand...

I don't know. I did ask this question when I filled in the consultation document. Hunting is not work (f foxes are not being controlled) it is pleasure so I cannot see it qualifies under the work exemption.
In practice I expect it will continue if the park and landowner give permission however it is not going to be very good public relations if dog owners walking on the common have their pooches on short leads and a pack of hounds comes storming over all loose, and the odd ones who have got lost wandering around.
 
twiggy2 said:
The rspb wouldn't allow a local shepherd to go and collect sheep from their ground about 3 weeks ago (after complaining the sheep were there!) In case ground nesting birds were disturbed!
At least round your way those in control appear to have some idea on what they are talking about.
Click to expand...
Now the rspb are something different altogether!
 
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