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Can anyone clarify the rulings on dogs in the New Forest - Do they have to stay on leads? 

Everything I have read is ambiguous at least - ''Dogs should be under control at all times'' is often repeated - To me, that means on a lead - can anyone confirm please

Thanks for the replies - We love our Westie, Dyson, but are not naive enough to believe that he will be properly behaved when faced with deer - he has always been great with ponies/horses and loves sitting under trees watching for squirrels! - go figure??  

I don't think that the New Forest will be on our list of places to go as Dyson is a regular on our camping trips and on balance, would rather that the deer and Dyson have a happy existence

Thank you again for the replies

Sheila x

its also worth noting that the Newforest is a native habitat for snakes, including the Adder, and whilst they  try and keep as far away as possible from any human contact, they do come out to bask and hunt in the sunshine on warm days and to breed, mainly during the months of April and May.

 If a dog was to accidently tread on one, or find one and treat it as a play thing, it would be in big danger of having a nasty venomous bite, and probably powerfill enough to kill some of the smaller breeds of dog quite quickly, whilst making the larger ones and any humans they bite quite seriously ill if treatment isnt sought quickly.

 For this reason, even when out on the heathland i would still advise keeping your dog on a lead at all times, better to be safe than sorry, as any bite can be easily missed amoungst a dogs coat until its too late to find a vet to administer the antidote.

Julia

To avoid going to the new forest because there are snakes there is a bit like the nanny state gone mad in my view.

The likelyhood of coming across a snake is remote to say the least and pretty much any national park is potentially a habitat for snakes.

Statistically humans are more likely to be killed by wasps than adders in the uk and I would think its the same for dogs.

I have seen a great many dogs off leads in the new forest. Personally we would keep our JRT on his lead.  

Hi,

We live in the Forest, and our 2 Retrievers spend most of their time off the lead whilst walking, never encoutering a problem with the wildlife.

There are 'pockets' within which you are asked to exercise 'close control' - if that means a lead for you, then so be it. Make your own decision.

I would respectfully suggest that a bigger problem, rather than the dog worrying the wildlife, is the human attempting to 'pet' the wildlife - they are exactly that, wild animals, and should be left as such. Your dog will understand that!

Come to the Forest, wander wherever you like, let your dog do the same - and let the native animals do the same, and all will be well!

Cheers!