Dog owners urged to keep pets under control after swan injured on Sudbury water meadows

A call for dogs to be kept under control on the Sudbury water meadows has come from a resident who is concerned for the town’s wildlife.

James Collier said he is an unofficial volunteer who, with others, keeps an eye on the swans and other animals that frequent the town’s common lands.

But he has become very concerned about the number of incidents where dogs have chased wildfowl and got too near cattle. In one recent incident, a cygnet was injured after a dog chased it, with the bird requiring veterinary care.

Mr Collier said: “The woman who found the cygnet has paid for its treatment out of her own pocket. She also suffered verbal abuse when she challenged the dog owner for not having their animal under control.

“During this pandemic, and particularly in lockdown, more people are using the water meadows for exercise – and that’s a good thing for everyone’s mental health.

“But it is not acceptable for people who exercise their dogs to let them off their leads and not have them under control. Some dogs are good at being recalled by voice command, but some are not.”

Mr Collier said notices advising dog owners to keep their pets under control have been put on the meadows.

“Measures were put in place two years ago, yet this is still happening on a daily occurrence,” he said.

“Our local wildlife deserve to be able to live without fear of being chased or injured.”

Nick Shimwell, a ranger with the Sudbury Common Lands Charity, said: “Unfortunately, it’s a long-standing issue, which the trustees give consideration to.

“We have produced leaflets for the entry gates, which give details about how to enjoy the water meadows, and we have signs advising owners to keep dogs under close control.

“The majority of dog owners realise they have a duty to act responsibly when it comes to keeping their dogs under control. We do our best to keep an eye on it, but we can’t be in all places at all times.”

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