New Petition To Allow Dogs OFF leads in Bushy and Richmond Parks has been launched
Following the Royal Parks announcement last month that dog leads will be compulsory in Bushy and Richmond Parks for the next 3 months, a petition has been launched in opposition.
From Tuesday 4 May to Monday 2 August, there is a ban on off-lead dogs to help keep the vulnerable deer safe during the May to June birthing season. It is estimated that over 300 deer will be born in these parks during this time.
Tamra Cave started a petition on Change.org to allow dogs off leads in Bushy and Richmond Parks.
In the petition description, Tamra writes “Each year an estimated 365,000 dog walks occur in Bushy & Richmond Park. Last year there were 90 reported incidents of dogs troubling deer. This was a year that saw a massive spike in park use due to covid and the purchase of dogs. But even so this only equates to a 0.03% risk of an incident of a dog troubling a deer.Each year 90 deer are culled by Royal parks; shooting them to keep the deer population down.”
At the time of writing this piece, the petition had received over 2200 signatures towards the 2500 goal.
To report an injury to a person, dog or deer, please contact:
Richmond Park: 0300 061 2200 or email richmond@royalparks.org.uk
Bushy Park 0300 061 2250 or email bushy@royalparks.org.uk
