Outdoor Life, Dogs | Martine (29): – I get real risks when I go for a walk with the dogs

(Bergen Newspaper): Lately, hiking in the Byfjellene has been an uncomfortable experience for Martine Rathe.

She walks the dogs off the leash when she can. She says that serious threats have been thrown at the dogs because of this.

According to the 29-year-old, she has also given her buckets in areas where there is no restraining order.

– I feel that I always have to go and protect my dog.

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Unclear rules

Rathe believes that the city needs to better clarify the areas that the restraining order applies to throughout the year in Bergen.

Online, these rules are very unclear, she believes.

– That Fløyen is useful all year round, I understand. But that is not true in many places on Løvstakken, which many people think. Or on many of the other Byfjellene.

– The band restriction applies mainly where there are paved footpaths. If you move away from them, it usually doesn’t matter.

She especially assumes that a leash is introduced at Vidden because there is more drinking water nearby.

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– Still, there are a lot of sheep and cows grazing and doing their bit up there. These animals spread much more bacteria than dogs, she says.

It’s in the rules

Kamilla Berven Bischof, section director in the legal department of the Urban Environment Agency, confirms that the restrictive rules in outdoor areas mostly only apply to the prepared walkway itself with associated camp and rest areas and signposted walking trails.

– In any case, we remind you that it is up to the owner of the dog to be aware and alert. Although there is no leash, dogs can only be loose under supervision and control, and you must pay special attention to children and other dogs, she writes in an email.

– Why is there any interest in Vidden, when, according to Rathe, dirty sheep and cattle graze in abundance there?

– Vidden is restricted due to the catchment area for drinking water. It appears from the regional section of the city plan that dogs must be kept on a leash and dog waste must be picked up.

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She writes that it is unfortunate that Rathe should have received serious threats to his dogs.

– We are aware that there is a conflict of interest between dog owners, other walkers, farmers and game consideration on this topic.