A video of a dog going after sea birds while off the lead in a safeguarded location has actually triggered require owners to keep their animals under control.
The 60-second clip was recorded by a wildlife watcher in Pegwell Bay, in between Ramsgate and Sandwich.
It reveals the dog encountering the mudflats, a limited part of the nature reserve which is an important feeding ground for the birds.
Owners run the risk of a £100 fine for breaching the general public space security order by letting their dogs off the lead in the zone, an action that has actually been taken by the council employers to secure the valuable wildlife in the location.
Experts state while the video footage of the dog romping in the water might appear like safe enjoyable, it “causes a huge amount of stress” to the birds, which might not go back to the location.
They alert it might be the reason for a “major decline” in some migratory types at the bay.
The wildlife watcher who recorded the video, and has actually asked not to be called, said: “The poor birds have little chance to rest and feed if they are being chased by dogs off the lead.
“Pegwell Bay is part of the Nature Reserve and is a vital feeding ground for migrating birds. By all means, take your dog for a walk but keep it under control on a lead.”
Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) handles Sandwich and Pegwell Bay on behalf of numerous landowners and has actually been dealing with Birdwise East Kent, Thanet District Council enforcement officers and Kent Police’s Rural Task Force in a quote to fight the continuous disruption of wildlife on this secured website.
KWT’s secured location warden Nina Jones said: “We are working hard to protect the wildlife on this site, but continued disturbance is an ongoing problem and may be the cause of a major decline in some migratory bird species.
“This area should be their haven, but we are seeing more and more reports of dogs chasing vulnerable birds that need to rest and feed before long migratory journeys to wintering or breeding grounds.
“Statistics show that dog ownership spiked during the pandemic, and it is only natural that people want somewhere nice to walk their pet, but all too many owners simply ignore the signage and just do not just understand the damage their pet is doing.
“A dog frolicking in the water with birds, to some, looks harmless but it causes a huge amount of stress on those birds who simply will not return to the area.
“So, I would ask all dog walkers in the area to please, respect the dog control area and keep your pet on a lead.”
The video was shared online by wildlife speaker Richard Taylor-Jones who explained why the recorded event is so damaging to wildlife.
He said: “Every time birds are disturbed by dogs, they use energy they would not otherwise do so. So not only does it mean the birds are stressed and scared, but they must also find more food to get through the day.
“At this time of year, some of these birds have just returned from the Arctic Circle, travelling thousands of miles, and are exhausted.
“This disturbance could be the difference between making it and not.
“This type of disturbance is simply all too common at Pegwell Bay, a site of European Site of Special Conservation.
“It’s time to start enforcing the law and fining the people that are breaking it.”
It’s not the very first time wildlife has actually been disrupted at Pegwell Bay, with a multi-agency operation introduced previously this month to protect seals from jet-skiers.
Officers from Kent Police’s rural task force have actually been keeping track of the location following reports that vessels had actually interfered with marine life populating the place by the mouth of the River Stour.
