Police action after woman's dog destroyed rare curlew eggs in the New Forest
Cameras captured the incident in the National Park
Last updated 30th Jun 2022
Action has been taken against a woman whose dog destroyed rare curlew eggs in the New Forest.
Hampshire Police say the dog was captured on cameras, set up to monitor the progress of curlew nests, repeatedly attacking one and eating the unhatched eggs.
The incident on the 27th May at Burley was the third occasion.
Officers identified the dog's owner as a 48 year old woman from Christchurch in Dorset.
She's been given a Community Resolution Order requiring her to consider putting the dog forward for extensive training courses.
She was ordered to sign, a Dog Behaviour Contract which requires her to walk the dog on a lead if on Forestry England land during Nesting Bird season - March through to September.
The woman is also required to ensure that any dog owned by the individual, including the one involved in the original offences, or a family member is kept under control at all times and is only taken out in the presence of an appropriate person who has full control of the dog.
Wildlife & Rural Crime Officer, Police Constable Matthew Thelwell, said:
“Curlews are ground nesting birds that are extremely rare and endangered – and sadly in this case – there was no clear attempt or intent by the owner to control their dog whilst off its lead.
“This has led to the destruction of a number of rare eggs, as well as the nesting area of the birds in the local area and constitutes an offence under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981.There are numerous Forestry England information boards and warning to dog walkers to keep their dogs under control in the area due to the Curlew nesting birds and other animals.
“Sadly on this occasion this advice was ignored and as a result we have taken robust action to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”
Charlotte Belcher, Community Ranger from Forestry England, said:
“Ground-nesting birds have already been lost from many other parts of the UK and we are so lucky to still have them here in the New Forest. Their breeding success here will play an important role in helping to ensure their continued survival in the UK. In the most sensitive nesting areas of the Forest there are highly visible signs alerting people and asking them to support the birds by staying on the main tracks together with their dogs. We are grateful to all of those who are doing so and helping these birds to survive.”
The New Forest Dog Owners Group said dog owners 'have clear responsibilities, and if owners won’t accept these, they must accept the consequences.'
"This is an extreme case, but a clear warning to owners who use the New Forest to act properly.”