SWAN ATTACK
QDuring a walk near my home, my dog and I followed a signed footpath we hadn’t explored before. As we walked past some reeds bordering a fishing lake, a swan suddenly rushed at my dog as if to attack him. My dog was off-lead, and lunged at the swan, growling and snapping. Luckily, it flew back onto the water and I managed to grab my dog and put him on a lead. A nearby fisherman told me I would have been in ‘big trouble’ if my dog had harmed the swan. Is this true?
I wondered if the swan had a nest in among the reeds. That being the case, is there any obligation to put up warning notices on the footpath?
Laura Houston, Essex. situation about causing injury or distress to wild birds is complex, and varies depending on the species of bird, plus where and when the incident happened. That said, in 2008 a dog walker was fined £250 plus £250 in costs after admitting his dogs chased swans at Copperhouse Pool in Cornwall.
But the law isn’t the key issue here. What’s more important is preventing such interactions in the first place to keep you, your dog, and any wildlife safe.
If it was my land I’d be tempted to erect a helpful temporary sign, but if that was done for every danger associated with wild animals, we’d have signs everywhere.
It’s vital you take care to prevent your dog from approaching any wildlife or farm animals, using a lead when you need to. That’s especially true the first time you go somewhere new as you may get caught out, as in this case.