A town councillor is urging dog owners to keep dogs on leads around Nantwich Lake and the Riverside following more incidents endangering swans and wildfowl.
Swans and their cygnets frequently nest in these areas but there have been a number of attacks by dogs not on leads.
Now it’s emerged that some signs put up by the council have been removed or destroyed.
Cllr Anna Burton said she has contacted police to explore further options to tackle the issue.
Nantwich Town Council Cllr Burton said: “Clear signage urging people to keep their dogs on leads and protect wildlife have been put up by the town council, but people are not listening, and some of the signs have been removed.
“We are asking people to put dogs on leads and respect birds nesting during this sensitive time.
“There’s a small percentage of people who don’t obey the rules,” she added.
“I wonder if there are other ways we can target those who are letting dogs off leads during this sensitive time.”
Local resident and nature campaigner Don Whitaker said: “I’m very sad to report today that dogs remain off leads throughout Nantwich.
“They are even encouraged to enter the river by dog owners, which we know is home to waterfowl.”
Cllr Burton says she has held talks with Nantwich police officers including Sgt Matt Stonier to see what action can be taken.
She added: “They’re are going to do something on social media with their rural crime teams on this issue.
“I’m not sure if the signs have been taken down intentionally or may have been that they were not put up high enough to begin with.”
We walked from barony road along the river then on to mill island via st Anne’s lane. we walked to just before the lake and back again looking for signs about keeping dogs on lead and we saw 1 sign at the top of a lamp post. I’m not sure where all the signs are meant to be but we did not see them and we were looking.
Signs have been up for years
Signs have been up for months, people just don’t pay attention to what and where they are .
Dog owners are an easy target , what about all the litter people are dropping or e-bikes racing around nothing is said or done about them or councilors wasting millions of tax payers money again nothing done about that. Get your own house in order before having a go at dog owners.
Can you please put signs up everywhere you want dogs on leads. I’m a dog owner and do let my dog off lead but if I see wildlife nearby I always put her back on lead. I’ve seen so many dog owners not considering the wildlife. I must say I have never seen a sign as of yet regarding keep your dog on leads except around the lake which I still see dogs off lead around there too. Can we have someone patroling the lake and giving fines out. Hurt them in there pockets.
Bit of a misleading story. More incidents of dog attacks… nothing of the sort.
Yes, maybe dogs are off the lead but no reports of any dogs attacking swans or other wildlife.
All dog owners need to be responsible for their pet and its a shame if the small minority spoil it for the vast majority of responsible dog owners.
This story sounds like it’s come from a non-dog loving councillor and non-dog loving nature campaigner.
As for the comments about allowing dogs into the river, it should be encouraged to let the dogs have the opportunity to cool off especially in this hot weather.
Swans are protected, ,, prosecute offenders ,