New Forest dog owners protest at ‘betrayal’

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DOG OWNERS have accused the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) of ‘betrayal’ over a proposal to bar them from parts of the forest.
New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) has launched a bitter attack on the members of the authority, accusing them of intolerance and being prejudiced against dogs.
The row has been caused by the NPA’s publication of a draft ‘Recreation Management Strategy’ which reveals that it wants to develop ‘dog-free car parks.’
This would effectively make large parts of the forest no-go areas for dog walkers, NFDog claims.
NFDOG committee member David Dickenson, who was involved in months of detailed negotiations with the NPA over the strategy, said: “How many car parks are they going to ban us from? Two, four, six, all but two? Once they have made the first closures where will it end?”
Mr Dickenson, a vet and ecologist, said the bulk of the strategy proposals, along with a draft National Park Plan, follows closely the approach that was built up between the NPA and local stakeholders who included among others NFDOG, horse riders, ramblers and cyclists.
“However, all this work and trust has been destroyed by the subsequent insertion of items which are very restrictive and break the spirit of the entire consultation,” said Mr Dickenson.
“There is not the remotest attempt to support a policy of dog-free car parks in any of the key assessment documents where dogs scarcely receive a mention.
“No other user group has been singled out for exclusion in this way.”
He added: “Two years ago at the NPA’s request we produced a report running to 14 pages and 13,000 words explaining why walking dogs was a healthy pursuit that helped to strengthen communities.
“They never responded to it and all that work was clearly a complete waste of time.”
NFDOG has launched a campaign in a bid to get the proposal dropped by the NPA. There will be a meeting for all dog owners from 10am to 4pm on Sunday October 12 at the Village Hall in Highwood Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RY.

Biggest group

“Leaders of NFDOG will be there to explain why they oppose the plans and will co-ordinate the completion of response forms for the NPA,” said NFDOG chairman Pauline Ludlow.
“We are throwing the meeting open to all dog owners whether or not they are members of NFDOG. Our aim is get as many as possible to spell out to the NPA they are opposed to the proposals.”
As well as the move for dog-free car parks the NPA is proposing closing and relocating some car parks for all New Forest users.
Said Mrs Ludlow: “We fought hard against car park closures last year.
“Our views remain the same. There is no evidence to back the case for closing car parks and it must not happen unless compelling data exists to prove it is necessary.”
NFDOG is the biggest user group in the New Forest with thousands of members and supporters.
An NPA spokesman said the authority had no intention of banning dogs from the New Forest.
“Dog walking is one of a wide range of popular recreational activities covered by the draft strategy and is recognised in it as an important way in which many people enjoy the New Forest,” she said.
“We recognise and value the major contribution dog walking makes to the enjoyment, health and well-being of local people. We have no intention of banning dogs from the forest and this is certainly not proposed in the strategy.
“But if dogs are not kept under control they can disturb ground-nesting birds, worry livestock and cause a public health issue through fouling. The draft strategy aims to promote responsible dog walking in the National Park. A number of initiatives are proposed for discussion and debate.
“Suggestions such as temporary car park closures and some dog-free car parks are among many ideas to enable a wide range of different interests to enjoy and care for the National Park.
“People can comment on the draft strategy and National Park Plan online via the National Park website or by viewing reference copies at South Efford House or local council offices and completing the questionnaire provided. The authority will review the draft policies after the consultation process closes at the end of October.”