Hikers see their peace disturbed, the game in the forest is chased and even ponies are bitten to death: stray dogs are increasingly causing nuisance and incidents. The Nature and Forest Agency has had enough. It uses its forest rangers to take tougher action against anyone who doesn’t keep the dog on a leash. “The time for warning is over.”
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In Flanders, dogs are only allowed to run free in places where this is indicated, but more and more people are ignoring this rule. In any case, Natuur en Bos sees the number of incidents increasing. “In November last year, eight dog owners were fined, this year that was three times as many,” said spokesman Jeroen Denaeghel.
Last weekend, in the Brabant Lintbos. A horse with rider was runaway by a dog, the rider fell into the barbed wire and was injured. “Due to the corona measures, we have seen a lot more people in the forest in recent months and therefore also more stray dogs. Owners ignore the signs and so do the forest rangers. Anyone who receives a warning will make another mistake the next day. ”
Natuur en Bos will now stop warning. “We have given enough signals. Anyone who does not want to hear now will feel. ” Dog owners will from now on immediately be fined at least 80 euros. “Our forest rangers will immediately report. The amount can increase depending on the number of stray dogs, the damage caused and any recidivism behavior. Some owners are stubborn. ”
Bobby-campagne
Incidents and damage vary. In the West-Flemish Vloethemveld, four sheep died after an attack by a stray dog. In Overpelt even a Shetland pony was the victim: two German shepherds bit the animal to death. But wild animals in the forest are also affected, emphasizes forest ranger Björn De Duytsche. “Birds and game are hunted. The scent traces of a dog also influence the biotope: as a result, a deer can reject its young ”, he says. “Moreover, it is not really polite when a dog jumps on walkers or tours to other dogs.”
It is not always easy for foresters. “They are often people from the immediate vicinity. They have been walking their dogs in the area for years and feel disadvantaged, ”says De Duytsche. “It happens that they don’t want to cooperate. Usually we find out their identity anyway, for example through the number plate. Or via via, a forest ranger has a large network. ”
When the situation threatens to escalate, the local police officer is called in. There will also be targeted checks in collaboration with the police. “Forest rangers and police officers will cross a forest together. Compare it with a bob campaign, but then against stray dogs instead of alcohol consumption, ”says Denaeghel.
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