Dogs in Dulwich woods / Sydenham Hill nature reserve

[Robert Poste's Child]

Despite notices at each entrance and in the reserve itself saying bird breeding season started on 1 March and dogs need to be kept on a short lead, most of the dogs I saw earlier today were running around loose.

If you have a dog, particularly working dog breeds like spaniels, setters, pointers, labs etc that have strong instincts to flush out birds, please do take care and keep them on leads until the breeding season ends in July. There are lots of other parks locally where dogs can run around freely so hopefully everyone can support this.

[singalto]

Much of Dulwich park has notices about keeping dogs on leads but most owners ignore that rule which irritates me..

[uncleglen]

Same in Ruskin park- there is a massive field for dogs but the selfish still let their dogs run free around the lake and flower gardens

[Earl Aelfheah]

Unfortunately many dog owners are a law to themselves.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I'm not talking about parks in general and I'm fine with dogs running around off the lead wherever that's allowed, but a lot of conservation work goes into the woods and nature reserve, and during breeding season dog owners who don't keep dogs on a lead are compromising the birds' chances of breeding.

We're so lucky with green spaces in this area and they do a lot to offset the pollution we create, so please let's all do our bit.

[kiera]

The new Dog Control Orders are coming in next Monday, replacing the old byelaws in the parks and cemeteries. The new rules for each Park are here http://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/2229/Composite_Dog_Ban_Byelaws.pdf

[ollieloudon]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> Unfortunately many dog owners are a law to

> themselves.

Yeah unfortunatly dogs cant read so if people would close the gates in ruskin park like the signs read, dogs wouldnt be able to run in. So next time you see a dog running free in the dogs on lead area check that the gates are closed

[stringvest]

I think dogs should be on leads for their own safety as much as anything. It's surprising also that in bird breeding season, the council send the tree trimmers out, and people butcher their hedges!

[first mate]

On 19 March Southwark is introducing Public Space Protection Orders with which to 'police' the dog owning public. It will be interesting to see how the policing works in practice, which individuals are tasked with this and how fair it is. The PCPOS are set to be in place for 3 years.

Press around these orders elsewhere has been variable and at times highly critical.

PSPOs can also be introduced for littering and other anti social behaviour, so it will also be interesting to see if Southwark pursues other areas of perceived public nuisance in a similar way, bearing in mind Southwark's plans to close down a significant part of PR for a 3 day music festival this summer.

[micky]

It?s a shame you can?t just walk through Sydenham hill woods no more with out coming across fencing put around everywhere being all fenched off or have to walk on designated walk ways. You can?t enjoy or explore the woodlands no more.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I guess you've seen the signs explaining that the fences have become necessary to repair the damage people have made.

[chuff]

Looks like Dulwich Park hasn't changed, it's the same as before but still the signs are in the wrong places which doesn't help anyone.

[Earl Aelfheah]

first mate Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> On 19 March Southwark is introducing Public Space

> Protection Orders with which to 'police' the dog

> owning public. It will be interesting to see how

> the policing works in practice, which individuals

> are tasked with this and how fair it is. The PCPOS

> are set to be in place for 3 years.

>

> Press around these orders elsewhere has been

> variable and at times highly critical.

>

> PSPOs can also be introduced for littering and

> other anti social behaviour, so it will also be

> interesting to see if Southwark pursues other

> areas of perceived public nuisance in a similar

> way, bearing in mind Southwark's plans to close

> down a significant part of PR for a 3 day music

> festival this summer.

If it means one can have a picnic in the park without having their food stolen, or everything up ended by a dog, well, that would be nice.

[Sue]

stringvest Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

It's surprising also

> that in bird breeding season, the council send the

> tree trimmers out, and people butcher their

> hedges!

https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/When-is-the-bird-nest-season

[first mate]

rahrahrah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> first mate Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > On 19 March Southwark is introducing Public

> Space

> > Protection Orders with which to 'police' the

> dog

> > owning public. It will be interesting to see

> how

> > the policing works in practice, which

> individuals

> > are tasked with this and how fair it is. The

> PCPOS

> > are set to be in place for 3 years.

> >

> > Press around these orders elsewhere has been

> > variable and at times highly critical.

> >

> > PSPOs can also be introduced for littering and

> > other anti social behaviour, so it will also be

> > interesting to see if Southwark pursues other

> > areas of perceived public nuisance in a similar

> > way, bearing in mind Southwark's plans to close

> > down a significant part of PR for a 3 day music

> > festival this summer.

>

> If it means one can have a picnic in the park

> without having their food stolen, or everything up

> ended by a dog, well, that would be nice.

Rahrahrah,

If the intention really is to get irresponsible owners to be more considerate that is fine and it remains to be seen if that is the case? I am interested in who will be doing the policing- there are very few park wardens and community wardens have better things to do, surely?

[Robert Poste's Child]

Again today most dogs off the lead, including a pair of pointers, a lab, a greyhound and other dogs running around putting up and chasing birds. In fact I only saw one dog ON a lead. Pretty shameful.

[beansprout]

My understanding though doesn't effect me - walker can walk 5 at a time but only 3 off lead at once...yes, interesting how they plan to police it as not enough staff to start with - perhaps community pay back - now that would be a joke..!! Most dog walkers I know would frankly welcome being licenced as we are considerate, well most of us are and being doing it for a number of years. It is more the start ups who then employ other staff as far as I am concerned when things tend to come unstuck and leads to us self employed walker running our own business dealing with complaints and aggression from general public. Real pity that whilst I believe proposed certainly by Lambeth last year did not go ahead. Frankly wish Southwark would do the same thing and Lambeth then everyone is singing from same page. Almost certain walkers in Battersea have been licenced for years so what isthecproblem in our part of world. Do agree that woofers should be on lead during breeding season for birds but how many townies care?

[Robert Poste's Child]

As it's breeding season, at the moment it should be NONE off the lead in the nature reserve! Doesn't matter whether you agree or not - that's their rule for everyone. Perhaps you mean in other parks where this rule doesn't apply.