3:42pm Friday 19th March 2010
DOG owners are being asked to keep their pets on the lead when they walk in the Yorkshire Dales National Park over the next five months.
The breeding season for wildlife and for farm animals is underway during this period - and dogs can cause long-term damage if they are allowed to roam free.
Ranger services manager Alan Hulme said: "The breeding season lasts until July 31 and it’s a very sensitive time for domestic and wild animals, especially ground-nesting birds – for which the Dales are renowned.
"We hear dog owners say all the time that my dog never chases or attacks sheep and lambs – which unfortunately does happen – but what a lot of owners don’t appreciate is that dogs can cause just as much harm unintentionally by keeping parents away from their young, which leaves eggs, fledglings and lambs vulnerable."
He added: "Dog owners are entitled to keep their pets off the lead on public paths but they must be under close control.
"However, to be on the safe side, we would urge them to keep their pets on a lead in an effort to reduce the risk of wildlife and farm animals being unintentionally disturbed at this crucial time."
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