Dog Walking on Reserves

This helps to minimise the distress and disturbance caused to local wildlife. If your dog is off the lead and out of sight it may well be causing disturbance to  wildlife which can cause a reduction in breeding success and ultimately a decrease in population numbers.

It is a requirement that dogs are kept on leads at all times on our nature reserves. Not all of our visitors are dog lovers and some are easily upset by them, such as very young children and the elderly, so only allow your dog to approach people if invited to do so. 

Dog mess is not only an unsightly health hazard for visitors, reserve staff and volunteers, it also promotes the growth of weeds and discourages the growth of wildflowers. It can also spread disease and pathogens. 

For example, when reserves staff are out strimming the paths to keep them clear for visitors, dog mess can end up in their eyes which could lead to serious injury or even blindness. Our reserves are regularly used by families and reserve staff need to ensure people aren’t at risk from coming into contact with dog mess. Please put your waste in the bins provided or take it home with you.

Please do not encourage your dog to swim in ponds, rivers or other water bodies. Not only does this cause disturbance to wildlife in and around these areas of open water, it also increases the risk  of transferring invasive and harmful plants such as New Zealand pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii), or amphibian diseases such as Ranavirus from one area to another.

A large majority of our nature reserves are managed with the help of grazing animals during certain times of the year, for example the water buffalo at Teifi Marshes and the Highland Cattle at Parc Slip. On these sites please keep your dog on a lead to avoid any stress to the animals and to reduce the risk of altercations between livestock and your dog.

The Wildlife Trust welcomes a huge variety of visitors to our nature reserves, from wildlife enthusiasts to school groups and ramblers. Please be aware that dogs can cause risk to other users, even unintentionally. Not everyone is fond of dogs and some have severe phobias. Other reserve users can feel extremely uncomfortable when a dog runs up to them even though the dog may be friendly and harmless. Small children are especially in danger from loose dogs, ranging from simply being knocked down by an enthusiastic dog to being bitten or seriously harmed. Please keep your dog close to you and on a short lead at all times on our reserves where dogs are permitted.