Dog owners who let their pets off the leads on Dartmoor could face being fined £500 if a proposed rule change is accepted.
People walking their dogs should keep them on a leash on common moorland during lambing and ground nesting bird seasons.
However, a plan for changing the park’s By-Laws could make it law of the land.
It comes as Dartmoor National Park Authority, (DNPA), looks to take a tougher stance against visitors after a string of bad behavior during the pandemic.
Dog owners who let their pets off the leads on Dartmoor could face being fined £500 if a proposed rule change is accepted
People who walk their dogs during the ground nesting bird season and lambing season are advised to keep them leashed on common moorland. A plan to change the park’s by-laws may make it law of the land.
Other changes could ban wild camping, overnight stays in caravans and group barbecues. They are included in a consultation which is open until November 1.
A document online shows that the line was added: “Between the 1st March and 31 July each years all dogs must be kept on a short leash of no more than two metres in length.”
The park authorities also want to limit visitors’ dogs to six.
Dartmoor sheep farmer Neil Cole said he supported the tougher line after witnessing his cattle being attacked by dogs repeatedly.
He stated that there are more cases of dog anxiety, dog attacks, and dogs disturbing wildlife than ever before.
“The sheer volume of dogs and people here is having such an impact on the environment as well as us farmers.
Because of the bad behavior that soared during the pandemic, the park authority could also ban wild campers. Pictured: Dartmoor campers left a tent and a fire pit.
The lambing and ground nesting bird season runs from March through July. Park guidance encourages dog owners not to let their dogs off the leash.
Rod Alsford, a dog owner from Moretonhampstead in Devon, said that it would be too extreme.
“I think it’s too extreme. It’s unnecessary when there are already rules in place to help people control their dogs.
A spokesperson for DNPA said that they were doing this to ensure that byelaws are up to the task and help protect the national parks for all to enjoy today as well as tomorrow.
“Updating Dartmoor’s byelaws is a crucial topic for anyone who cares about Dartmoor.