Why Pimp Hall Nature Reserve is a dogs on lead area:
To minimise disturbance to wildlife, including birds, hedgehogs, grass snakes, frogs and toads and foxes.
Nature reserves are special places renowned for their value to wildlife.
Pick it up for Wildlife
Some dog owners think that dog poo is ‘natural’ and that they can leave it. This is not the case and rain will not wash it away. Dogs do not forage out in the wild like wild animals and therefore their faeces is not natural either.
Wildflowers and plants need low nutrient soil to thrive. Soils enriched with dog faeces encourage the growth of coarser plants such as nettles and thistles, which compete with and outgrow many wildflowers.
Pick it up for People
Our nature reserve is used by schools and families with children, as well as wheelchair users and volunteers. Cleaning up after your dog prevents others from getting faeces on their shoes, hands or clothing, or in the wheels of wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Not only is it unpleasant, dog faeces can cause serious diseases in humans such as Canine Toxocariasis, which can lead to blindness. eg. when volunteers are out clearing the paths to keep them clear for visitors.
To minimise disturbance to wildlife, including birds, hedgehogs, grass snakes, frogs and toads and foxes.
Nature reserves are special places renowned for their value to wildlife.
- The effect of dogs on wildlife can be direct (such as predation) or indirect (such as changes in foraging behaviour), and physiological (increased stress).
- If dogs stray off paths, wildlife is scared and moves to a safer area. This means that wildlife is less likely to breed and feed in a habitat where they encounter dogs. Disturbance applies to all animals – including birds, mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles.
- Some bird species either nest directly on the ground or in low scrub and hedges and are very easily disturbed from their nests if a dog approaches off a lead. Dogs, with their amazing sense of smell, can easily detect a nest.
- Wildlife has very little space remaining in the UK, and it is vital that we keep disturbance to a minimum on nature reserves.
Pick it up for Wildlife
Some dog owners think that dog poo is ‘natural’ and that they can leave it. This is not the case and rain will not wash it away. Dogs do not forage out in the wild like wild animals and therefore their faeces is not natural either.
Wildflowers and plants need low nutrient soil to thrive. Soils enriched with dog faeces encourage the growth of coarser plants such as nettles and thistles, which compete with and outgrow many wildflowers.
Pick it up for People
Our nature reserve is used by schools and families with children, as well as wheelchair users and volunteers. Cleaning up after your dog prevents others from getting faeces on their shoes, hands or clothing, or in the wheels of wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Not only is it unpleasant, dog faeces can cause serious diseases in humans such as Canine Toxocariasis, which can lead to blindness. eg. when volunteers are out clearing the paths to keep them clear for visitors.