Bedford Borough Council is urging local people to be extra cautious when walking their dogs in areas where nesting birds may be present after a breeding male swan was attacked by a dog and left with serious injuries.
Please note this article contains an image some may find distressing
As the weather warms up, more and more dog owners are taking their pets for walks in local parks and green spaces. While this is great to see, it’s important to remember that this is also a critical time for nesting birds in our community.
Nesting birds, especially those on the ground like swans, are vulnerable to disturbance from dogs. If dogs are not kept on leads, they may inadvertently harm or disturb the birds, which could lead to them abandoning their nests or leaving their young vulnerable to predators.
As responsible members of our community, it’s crucial that we take steps to protect our local wildlife. Keeping dogs on leads near nesting birds is a vital part of this. We encourage all dog owners to be mindful of this and to do their part in safeguarding our local birds.
A Bedford Borough spokesperson spoke about a swan that was recently attacked by a dog.
“We were disappointed to hear that a swan was recently attacked by a loose dog in Mill Meadows, Bedford, near to its nesting partner,” they said.
“This resulted in nasty injuries that required treatment and antibiotics. Fortunately, this swan is now back with its partner.”
Acting on a tip-off St Bede’s Ford Swannery captured the swan named ‘Fuzzy’ and called in The Waterfowl Sanctuary, Godmanchester, to make sure he received medical care.
Given pain relief, antibiotics and with his wounds dressed, Fuzzy will spend a week or two in the Sanctuary before being released back to his mate.
St Bede’s will be erecting fencing to try and secure the nest and will be monitoring the female over the following weeks to ensure her well-being.
They also ask the public not to throw food at the nest, as this attracts vermin which can endanger the parent bird and newly hatched cygnets.
In some areas of Bedford Borough, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place, which means that dogs are excluded or required to be on leads.
“We would like to remind residents that a dog may be considered dangerously out of control if it injures a person or another animal, or causes someone fear or apprehension that they may be injured,” added the council spokesperson.
“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.”
For more information about these orders, please visit bedford.gov.uk/environmental-issues/dog-control-and-welfare/dog-control-orders.
Let’s all do our part in preserving our local wildlife by keeping our furry friends on leads when necessary and respecting the environment we share with other creatures.
Further information about dog control and welfare in Bedford Borough is available at bedford.gov.uk/environmental-issues/dog-control-and-welfare.
