Dogs on Westhay and Catcott

What decision has been made regarding dogs on Westhay and Catcott?

We have taken the decision to restrict dogs to being allowed only on public rights of way (the droves) at our Westhay Moor and Catcott nature reserves. Dogs, excluding guide dogs, will no longer be permitted on any central permissive paths on both reserves. On public rights of way,  (London Drove and Dagg’s Lane Drove in the case of Westhay, and Lower Ropes Drove, Higher Ropes Drove, Jane’s Drove, Summerclose Drove and East Drove in the case of Catcott), dogs must remain on a lead or under close control, remaining on the paths at all times, be visible and in close proximity to their owners.

When will this be effective from?

This will be effective from 15th August 2022.

Why have you taken this decision?

Whilst we appreciate there are many responsible dog owners who visit, we have had to make this decision as a direct response to a number of issues caused by a growing number of irresponsible dog owners in particular at Westhay.

The decision also brings both reserves in line with other reserves within the wider Avalon Marshes reserve network. Visitors often visit more than one reserve at a time, so having a consistent approach and message to dog owners is really important.

What are these issues?

• We have seen a huge increase in people visiting Westhay Moor in particular with their dogs. As a result we have also seen a large increase in poor dog owner attitudes and behaviours, which are having a hugely negative impact on the habitats, wildlife and other visitors’ enjoyment of this very special reserve. All of our reserves are managed for nature and wildlife. Westhay and Catcott are protected by a number of conservation designations including being part of the Super National Nature Reserve, the RAMSAR site and they are SSSIs. We feel they are no longer the safe havens they should be for wildlife or peaceful space for people.

• Our staff and volunteers (and sometimes general members of the public) are now regularly on the receiving end of aggressive behaviour from dog owners who refuse to put their dogs on leads, when politely asked to do so, or keep their dogs under control to minimise disturbance to wildlife, or pick up and dispose of their dog poo. These confrontations are intimidating and frightening, and we don’t believe our staff and volunteers should be subjected to them. The majority of complaints we now receive on site are about irresponsible dog owners.

• Our nature reserves are managed primarily for wildlife, so dogs must be kept under close control. We have seen many more dogs not under close control and simply left loose to roam. Close control is when a dog can be: recalled at the first call (if it cannot, it should be on a lead); can be clearly seen and stays on the paths and out of the reedbeds and lakes (not roaming through vegetation and habitats beside the paths); and having a lead with you at all times.  There have been increasing instances of dogs swimming in the lakes after sticks have been thrown into water. Dogs are disturbing birds and other wildlife including several instances of ground nesting birds abandoning nests after being disturbed by dogs. Fragile habitats have been trampled, wildlife killed, birds disturbed and chased, and grazing animals harassed and bitten.

• Despite our best efforts to explain to people over the past couple of years how dogs can be a risk to wildlife,  we have been unable to bring about the changes in attitudes and behaviours that we need to safeguard the wildlife and habitats we look after at Westhay and Catcott - most particularly at Westhay. People are simply ignoring all of our signage on site and the requests from staff. We understand that for many their dogs are just enjoying their time, but even the loveliest natured, enthusiastic pup can have a serious impact on wildlife, even if this is not the intention of the owner.

• The amount of dog poo that can be found on paths and open areas is now beyond manageable. Dog poo left on site leads to nutrification of soils which affects plant communities, and brings health hazards to stock, wild animals and people – visitors, volunteers and staff who come into contact with it whilst undertaking management activities. Westhay and Catcott are managed as nature reserves not as public parks - where facilities like regularly emptied poo bins would be expected to be provided to manage this issue. On a nature reserve dog poo is not ‘natural’ and needs to be taken home and disposed of, and people are simply not doing this, they are expecting us to clean up after their dog instead. This takes staff time away from conservation work and is not acceptable.

How will you monitor this?

We have given visitors an ample amount of time before these restrictions come into place on 15th August 2022. There are very clear signs up on the reserves to spread the word, along with plenty of information on why we have made this decision available on our website and social media channels.

We have a team of staff and volunteers who will be out on the reserves monitoring the situation very closely. This will be a team of increased numbers in the first few weeks to help dog walkers understand the changes and how they are affected.

Whilst the majority of people will understand why we have had to make the decision and respect these new restrictions, we appreciate there are some visitors who will be disappointed. However, anyone who is rude or acts aggressively towards our staff or volunteers will be asked to leave the site immediately.

We hope that everyone will contribute to creating the change because we all care about nature and the amazing wildlife on the reserves.

Will you be applying this to any of your other sites?

We are not currently experiencing these negative issues to the same degree on our other reserves. This change to Somerset Wildlife Trust managed nature reserves in the Avalon Marshes complex, brings us in line with the other reserves managed by the RSPB, Natural England and the Hawk and Owl Trust.

On all nature reserves where we do allow dogs, we expect all visitors with dogs to ensure their dogs are under close control at all times.  During bird nesting season, between March and August, by law, dogs must be kept on a lead.  Outside of these months dogs must - by law - be kept under close control near farm animals or wildlife. By sticking to paths, watching your step and keeping dogs on a short lead, you can give rare ground nesting birds and other wildlife the best chance of survival.

But it’s not fair on the dog owners that do behave responsibly

We know that there are many responsible dog owners that visit who are acutely aware of the significance of the reserve’s special habitats, who value the rare and vulnerable wildlife greatly and understand what we are trying to achieve on the reserve, and who have done their utmost to influence good practices in other dog owners. We thank them for their support and are sad that they won’t be able to continue to enjoy Westhay and Catcott in the same way with their dogs in the future. Dogs are still permitted under close control on the droves and we hope they will be able to continue to visit and enjoy the reserves there.

You are always talking about people getting connected with nature.  I do this through walking my dog so you are stopping me from doing this on Westhay and Catcott.

Dog ownership is a fantastic way to stay active, get outside, and appreciate the natural world. We understand that Westhay and Catcott are also very special places for people to connect to nature. We want people to continue to do that. And we fully understand that for many having their canine companion is part of that nature connection experience, but these reserves are primarily managed for nature and wildlife. People will need to walk their dogs on sites that are more suitable.

We have had feedback from members, supporters and the general public that indicates that the majority will be in support of this decision, and that irresponsible dog owners’ behaviour is preventing many people from connecting with nature at Westhay and Catcott - more particularly at Westhay.

I am a member/donor. If I have contributed to these reserves over the years, I should be able to come to the reserve with my dog.

We thank you for your support - your contribution has made Westhay and Catcott the incredible special places they are today.  Our breeding bird surveys are testament to the growth of many bird populations at the reserve, but this success and that hard work and support is now sadly at risk and we are sorry to have been forced to make this very difficult decision We must put nature and wildlife first and make sure we are spending the vital funds donated to us by our members and supporters on protecting, restoring and creating habitats for wildlife, not repairing damage done by dogs to our reserves.

I support the new restrictions; how can I help?

We really appreciate visitors and supporters of the Trust who respect our passion for protecting wildlife, particularly on the reserves we manage.

We need everyone to be aware, speak to each other and let us know when people don’t respect these restrictions. This will help us to create a culture where it is unacceptable to bring dogs onto the reserve.

Cultural change takes time, but we will get to a point where people respect that they cannot bring dogs onto the reserve, so they remain safe havens for the rare and vulnerable species that make their homes there.