SWT is also reminding owners to clean up after their pets to help keep reserves in good condition and conservation grazing animals – which are vital for the health of chalk grasslands and heathland sites - in good health.
Springtime brings with it the arrival of many migratory species, who travel thousands of miles to breed on nature reserves across the country and are vulnerable to disturbance between March and August.
Keeping dogs close by will help ensure that ground-nesting birds such as Skylarks, Woodcock, and Nightjars are not harmed during the breeding season. Unsupervised dogs can cause birds to abandon their nests, so it’s vital that they are kept under control.
Many dog owners are passionate about nature and want to avoid harming it. However, even the most well-behaved dogs can unintentionally cause distress or damage wildlife, simply by following their natural curiosity.
Birds perceive dogs as predators and when dogs roam freely, birds may abandon their nests, leaving eggs and chicks cold and unprotected. Dog faeces also leach unwelcome nutrients into soil and presents health risks to people and animals, including the cows and sheep that Surrey Wildlife Trust uses to maintain a healthy balance of vegetation on many sites, including Chobham and Whitmoor Commons.
James Herd, Director of Reserves Management at Surrey Wildlife Trust, says:
“We want everyone to enjoy Surrey’s fabulous wild places, and dog walkers with under-control dogs are always welcome on our sites. But as well as being illegal to disturb nesting birds, it’s good practice to minimise the impact your canine friends have on all wildlife.
“Keeping your dogs under control and making sure you clean up behind them keeps sensitive habitats safe from damaging disturbance and dangerous diseases like Neosporosis, which poses a serious risk of aborted pregnancies in our conservation grazing animals. Sadly, we’ve seen this twice already in the spring 2025 calving period.”
Dr Jenna Kiddie, Head of Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust, says:
“Dogs enrich our lives, but they also bring a level of responsibility. Whilst many of us enjoy taking our dogs for long walks, especially as it becomes a bit warmer, we urge dog owners to consider their surroundings, particularly when visiting areas where they might encounter wildlife.
“When visiting rural areas, owners should keep their dogs under control and ensure they do not worry other animals or stray from the path, as well as dispose of their dog's waste appropriately. We would advise keeping your dog on a short lead, and close to you, especially whenever livestock are nearby.
“It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size. We would encourage owners to explore training options such as the Dogs Trust’s Dog School.”
See www.wildlifetrusts.org/dogs-and-nature for more information about responsible dog walking.