Dogs, Dog Walkers and Wildlife

 There seems to be an enormous feeling of self entitlement amongst some dog owners and I have in the past heard every excuse as well as being blasted with a dog's "bill of rights" (seriously). If you cannot command control your dog in a park or area where there is wildlife and especially during cub and young season -muzzle it or keep it on a lead. 

This is not a Bristol problem it is a national one. Deer,foxes, badgers and other wildlife are chased at by out of control dogs while the owners chuckle away. It is not funny.

We also have some nasty people out there who seem to have great fun allowing their dogs to attack and kill wildlife.

Purdown and Blaise Castle (Bristol) have seen reports of dogs chasing rabbits and deer and not responding to their owners' calls.

Yesterday afternoon, at Blaise Castle Park, a dog walker and her husband were shocked as a "Very large and muscle packed" greyhound attacked and shook, mauled a fox. The owner watched and did nothing and after the dog had done its stuff he left. The shocked couple had to wait until Sarah Mills (the Bristol Fox Lady) got there and rushed the fox to the vet where in juries were so severe it was put down.

This has now become a wildlife crime incident and there will be a post mortem carried out and report forwarded to Bristol City Council and police.

The man was described as early 50s, well built and his greyhound was more powerfully built than the usual greyhounds seen. No leash and no muzzle and no attempt to do anything means the dog is a danger to (at least) wildlife and by the man's reaction this was nothing new -why someone would take a greyhound into an area with wildlife and let it chase and kill animals is open to question.

Dog walkers should be careful if they are in the park in case the man and dog return. If anyone has suspicions who the person i9s please contact Avon and Somerset Police.

Above: the fox savaged and that had to be euthanised