Information for dog walkers
Picking up after your pet
Our nature reserves are used by all kinds of different people including children, wheelchair users and volunteers, who are often working to improve wildlife in areas on and near the footpaths. Cleaning up after your dog prevents others from getting faeces on their feet, hands or clothing, or in the wheels of wheelchairs and pushchairs. This is not just unpleasant, but dog faeces can cause serious diseases in humans such as canine toxocariasis, which can lead to blindness.
Please remember, dog poo negatively affects many wildflowers!
Wildflowers and plants need low nutrient soil to thrive. Soils enriched with dog faeces encourage the growth of coarser plants such as nettles and thistles, which compete with and outgrow many wildflowers. It can cause serious disease in domestic livestock. Neosporosis can cause abortion in cattle, whilst Sarcocystosis can cause neurological disease and death in sheep.
We hope you enjoy your visit – thank you for treating these sensitive areas with respect.
Dog walking harmony with nature
Dog owners are encouraged to follow six key principles:
- Keep Your Dog in Sight and Under Control
Always keep your dog within sight and under control. Where signposted, please use a lead. - Clean Up After Your Dog
Always pick up after your dog. If bins aren’t available, please take the waste home with you. - Use a Lead Around Livestock and Nesting Birds
In areas with livestock or ground-nesting birds — especially from March to July — keep your dog on a short lead at all times. - Practice Reliable Recall
Your dog should respond to basic recall commands. If not, please keep them on a lead for the duration of your walk. - Stay on Designated Paths
Stick to marked trails to help protect delicate flora and fauna. - Respect Others
Be mindful of other visitors and their dogs.
Penhale Assistant Officer Hannah Barnikel talks to Julia Skentlebery about how to be a responsible dog owner, especially if visiting Penhale Dunes nature reserve
