The swan suffered ‘nasty injuries’ which were dealt with prior to it was securely gone back to the park.
A plain caution has actually been released to dog-owners after a swan was assaulted by a loose dog in a Bedford park.
The swan suffered ‘nasty injuries’ which were dealt with prior to it was securely gone back to its nesting partner in Mill Meadows.
The event has actually triggered Bedford Borough Council to prompt dog-owners to keep their family pets on leads – especially throughout nesting season.
A council representative said: “We were disappointed to hear that a swan was recently attacked by a loose dog in Mill Meadows, Bedford, near to its nesting partner. This resulted in nasty injuries that required treatment and antibiotics. Fortunately, this swan is now back with its partner.
“Nesting birds, especially those nesting on the ground, such as swans, are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from dogs. If dogs are not kept on leads, they may inadvertently disturb or harm the birds, causing them to abandon their nests or leaving their young vulnerable to predators.”
Typically, swans lay eggs up till early May which take in between 30 and 40 days to hatch. Both sexes will rest on the eggs.
Swans’ nests, in typical with all other native birds, are completely secured under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is an offense to deliberately or recklessly destroy any nests, eggs or nestlings. Those who stroll dogs are advised to keep them on a brief lead if they pass any nests.
The representative recommended dogs might be thought about precariously out of control if they hurt an animal or individual, or if they appear threatening and trigger distress.
They included: “It is against the law for a dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere. If it is, legal action can be taken against the owner and the person who was in charge of the dog at the time.”
There are some locations in Bedford Borough where a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) suggests that dogs are left out, needed to be on a lead, or other procedures remain in location. These can be discovered by means of the council’s website.
