The video, taken in one of London s eight Royal Parks and shared on Twitter, shows a dog walker fleeing with his unleashed pet as a some deer chase after them.
Calls for dogs to be allowed off leads in Richmond and Bushy Parks have intensified – despite a 3 month ban in deer birthing season. Dog owners have banded together to dispute new restrictions issued by The Royal Parks, which prevents dogs from roaming free to protect deer and their young. The new rules at Richmond, Bushy and Home Parks, state that dogs must be kept on their leads at all times for 13 weeks between May 4 until August 2. It has also been strongly advised that dog owners avoid walking their pets in the parks at all. The ban is an extension from last year, which ordered a 7-week period for dogs to be on leads in the parks.
From Tuesday May 4 May until Monday 2 August 2021, dogs will be required to be on a lead in all areas of Richmond and Bushy Parks. Over the next few months, around 300 deer will be born in the two parks in birthing season. Female deer are particularly vulnerable at this time, and take to hiding their babies in bracken and long grass to conceal them from dogs and other perceived predators. Simon Richards, Park Manager for Richmond Park, said: “During the deer birthing season, we strongly advise that dogs are not walked in either Richmond or Bushy Parks but, if this is not possible, dogs must be on leads in all areas of the parks.