Dog owner pays out over park attack
THE OWNER of a dog has paid compensation to Bradgate Park Trust after a fawn was killed at the popular Leicestershire estate.
The deer died after it was chased into a brick wall, breaking its neck in front of horrified customers back in March.
The case was referred to Leicestershire Police but the Trust issued an update to say that it had been resolved through restorative justice.
That means the owner of the dog escapes prosecution if they agree to do something to resolve the situation.
In this case the dog owner had to pay an unspecified amount of compensation to the park trust.
The move follows the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order in the park that restricts where dogs can be walked without a lead.
Since the order was introduced no fined have been handed out though.
A spokesman for Bradgate Park Trust said: “We would remind all visitors we are now entering the main period where young are born, so please do take extra care in the Upper Park where dogs are allowed off a lead but must be under effective control.”
Following the incident the Trust introduced a rule from April 1 that dogs must be kept on leads in the busiest quarter of the park.
The Trust blamed out-ofcontrol dogs for the deaths of between 20 and 30 of its 500-strong herd at the start of the year.
In March two deer calves died in suspicious circumstances in just one week.
Last year was the first time that strict rules had been introduced for dogs. In the past, dog walkers were required to keep their pets in “effective control”.
But the new rule means that during the busy months, a large section of the park has a legally-enforceable bylaw demanding dogs are kept on leads.
The park has recently updated maps and signs to make the details of the Public Space Protection Order clearer.
Dogs can still be off the lead in the upper three quarters of the park but, as per the old rules, need to be under control.
Under the Public Space Protection Order, the park rangers can require dog owners in any part of the park to put their pets on leads.