Dog owners pledge to fight moves for fresh New Forest controls

A GROUP that represents local dog owners has said it will resist any attempts to restrict free access by pets to parts of the New Forest.

The issue was raised during a meeting of the verderers committee following a discussion on the impact commercial New Forest dog walking is having on sensitive areas of the national park.

The minutes reveal that two verderers, David Readhead and Anthony Pasmore, felt dogs should not be allowed access to the Forest off the lead for some months of the year.

This view was also partially endorsed by Hallum Mills, who felt there should be zones and times when certain activities were permitted or restricted.

The minutes concluded: “This would afford the same protection to the Forest as that which is enjoyed on other common land under the Crown Act.”

However, Heather Gould, chairman of the New Forest Dog Owners Group, said they would “strongly resist” any move to restrict dog walkers’ access to the Forest.

“NFDog was set up in 2001 after nearly all foot and mouth restrictions were lifted but dog owners were still required to walk their pets on lead in the Forest.

“We were concerned then about any moves to restrict access and we would still have those concerns today.

"It is ridiculous to say that all dogs should be on a lead for any period of time in any particular place.

"It would just be unenforceable, and it would be the responsible dog owners that would suffer because they would be the ones following the rules.”

The issue was raised after Mr Readhead told the verderers he had witnessed three vans belonging to commercial dog walkers regularly visiting Moonhills car park.

He went on to question why they were permitted to use the Forest for their business and commercial activity when this was not generally permitted.

It emerged that the Forestry Commission has been working with the national park authority and commercial dog walkers to agree a voluntary charter.

Mrs Gould said: “There are a lot of very responsible commercial dog walkers and I think it is unfair to label all of them as irresponsible.

"We believe that the new charter is fair and it is something we have given our support to.”