Dog kills swan on Hampstead Heath
Published: 13 May, 2010
by DAN CARRIER
A DOG owner is facing prosecution after a Staffordshire terrier killed a nesting swan on Hampstead Heath.
The attack, which took place at the Vale of Health pond over the weekend, stunned passers-by, who tried to intervene.
A Heath ranger, who did not wish to be named, said: “The dog owner was totally distraught. They said the swan came up the bank without them noticing, and attacked the dog. They co-operated properly with the Heath police and were obviously upset.”
Nesting swans can be aggressive when protecting their brood, as this swan was. After the swan tried to scare the dog away, the Staffordshire terrier grabbed the bird by its neck. The ranger added: “We managed to get the dog off her, and then drove the bird as quickly as we could to the nearest vets in South End Green. It still had a pulse when we got hold of her, but sadly she died in my arms as we rushed to get her medical help.”
The death has meant a nest of eggs has been left exposed, and the bird’s long-term mate is now without a partner at the third Hampstead pond.
A Heath spokesperson said: “The swan’s nest had been protected, but the attack took place out on the water. Signs around the Heath stress the importance of keeping dogs under close control at all times, especially by ponds and in the bird breeding season.
“The Heath Constabulary attended immediately, with a view to a possible prosecution under the Heath bylaws.”
Comments
A swan was chased for 30 mins
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-08-02 12:27.in the water on Sunday 1 Aug 2010 it was very distressing. And the stupid owner just stood there feebly calling her stupid dog.
I wish the authorities were stricter on bad/irresponsible owners.
My husband is one of those
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-06-09 09:41.My husband is one of those professional dog walkers and never does his 'pack' of dogs surround people growling and barking. They may play with each other but these family pets haven't much interest in sourrounding people growling and barking which is why they are family pets. The reality is that the professional dog walkers careful vet the animals before they take them out walking, and again before they let them off the lead. These animals are these walkers business and any mishap or incident could ruin them. So they are not irresponsible at all with these animals. My husband speaks to other dog walkers on the heath most days and the level of entry of behaviour for the dogs that they walk is very high. This is these people's livelyhood dont forget, it isnt something people do lightheartedly. I walk on Hampstead Heath with him regularly and generally as in the case of most dog walkers he avoids people. In addition to this the dog walkers pick up poo - again this is their business and getting a bad reputation is bad for business. The walkers are also providing a valuable service to families where people work. Keeping dogs well exercised prevents nuisance barking and behavioural problems in dogs. Please everyone stop blaming the dog walkers. What about the children feeding the ducks and attracting rats to the heath with the left over bread? Those same rats eat birds eggs and kill baby birds. What about the grey squirrel who is not native to the UK and have killed off our native squirrels? What about the picnicers who leave their empty cans and wrappers lying about on the heath (which incidentally my facidious husband picks up most days)? As the comment above mentions what about the firework displays in breeding season? What about the drunks in the woods who I regularly find asleep under trees while walking in the woods? I have an idea, lets ban everything from the heath incase someone gets upset by it.
Dogs on the Heath
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-05-15 09:15.This is the third such death in the last few years. It is surely now time for the Heath Authorities to shake off their inaction in the face of the dog lobby. A requirement to have dogs on leads except in certain controlled areas would prevent these horrible incidents as well as put an end to the ludicrous packs of up to twenty loose dogs caused by the professional dog walkers. Some people feel intimidated by dogs, and being surrounded by more than a dozen of them growling and barking while the "minders" looked on nonchalantly from about 200 yards away, as happened to my wife and I recently, is simply unacceptable. Goodness knows how many nesting birds and small mammals are disturbed or killed by dogs off the lead in this invaluable habitat. Put dogs on leads, and enforce it! Simples!
None of the incidents with
Submitted by theid on Thu, 2010-05-20 20:47.None of the incidents with swans has involved a "pack" of dogs - all involved one dog with one owner. As for disturbing nesting birds and small mammals - the Kenwood concerts now have firework displays every week during the breeding season, but I haven't seen too many calls for that to stop. People feel intimidated by all kinds of things but life doesn't allow the luxury of pandering to everybody's personal preferences. The Heath constabulary are always available to help people and should always be the first port of call in cases of dispute.
"ludicrous packs"?
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-05-20 17:25.None of the incidents with swans has involved a "pack" of dogs - all involved one dog with one owner. As for disturbing nesting birds and small mammals - the Kenwood concerts now have firework displays every week during the breeding season, but I haven't seen too many calls for that to stop. People feel intimidated by all kinds of things but life doesn't allow the luxury of pandering to everybody's personal preferences. The Heath constabulary are always available to help people and should always be the first port of call in cases of dispute.
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