Park urges dog owners to obey rules around deer
WARNINGS OF RISK TO PEOPLE AND PETS – AND OF PROSECUTION
DOG walkers are being advised to brush up on Bradgate Park’s rules as the deer head into birthing season.
The park trust said people should treat the deer with respect, especially when young are being born between May and July and in the rutting season from September to October.
Owners of dogs which chase wildlife, including deer, could face prosecution and a compensation claim.
A trust spokesman said: “Visitors need to treat these wild animals with respect. Please do not approach animals to try to stroke them. Do not feed the deer.
“All visitors, including photographers, should not get closer than 30 metres to the deer.
“If the deer are lying down it is a good indication they are ruminating, which is part of the deer’s digestion process.
“Try not to make the deer move as this upsets their digestion.
“If the deer start to move away, it is because they feel threatened. Please do not follow them as this causes stress similar to being chased.
“While we have publicised dog chasing deer, visitors have also started to pursue animals and this is not acceptable. Please do not try to photograph from all sides as this hems the deer in leaving them no room for manoeuvre and resulting in a high level of stress, comparable with being chased by a dog.
“Deer can feel threatened by dogs, even over long distances and when the dog is not behaving in a provocative manner.
“This is particularly applicable during the rutting and birthing seasons.
“If you choose, at your own risk, to walk your dog in the park at these times, please keep your distance from the deer and even in the Upper Park we advise you consider keeping your dog on a lead.
“If a deer does charge, dog walkers are advised to let go of the lead so the dog can run away from danger. In this circumstance the deer is very unlikely to give chase. They simply want the dog to be a safe distance from their young.”