The time of politely asking the owner if the dog can be kept on a leash in the forest is definitely over for forest ranger Erik de Jonge. For the third time in a week, a fawn was bitten to death on the Brabantse Wal near Bergen op Zoom. Anyone who lets a dog run loose in the area risks a fine of one hundred to one hundred and fifty euros.
The months of May and June are the maternity periods in nature. At that time, forest ranger Erik de Jonge cannot use stray dogs in the forest anyway. “We are already disappointed when a deer is caught. But we are not waiting for fawns or other young animals to be bitten to death by dogs.”
“We have agreed with the boas, investigating officers of the municipality, that from now on we will issue a receipt to all owners of free-roaming dogs in nature. It is not only about fawns, but also about, for example, the breeding areas with meadow birds. Last week there were still people with two stray dogs through the breeding area. There is no warning, but a fine.”
“We are happy to explain, but the time for warning has passed.”
For the boas in the Brabantse Wal it is therefore zero tolerance: any violation that the boas see is immediately fined. “We see too many loose dogs in these months. We keep extra supervision, especially at busy times. In addition, volunteers have already put up extra signs in the forest with the request to leash dogs. We are happy to explain, but the time of warning is over now.”
The owner of a stray dog can count on a fine of one hundred to one hundred and fifty euros. “If someone makes a serious mistake, for example if his dog chases game or a bird, then the nature protection law comes into the picture. We are already talking about fines of several hundred euros. We are very strict about that and that is necessary also.”
“People underestimate their dog’s hunting instinct.”
According to forest ranger De Jonge, people are often surprised by their own dog. “They underestimate the dog’s hunting instinct. They think their dog is so sweet and will never show hunting behavior. As soon as a dog sees a young animal in the forest, it will go after it. But adult animals are not safe either. A little white poodle doesn’t get a hold of a deer quickly, but it can kill it.”
The birth peak in the forest is around June 1. “We can’t use dogs during this period. Apart from fawns, they also target young long-eared owls, ducklings or a pine marten that cannot get into the tree due to its clumsiness. Any dog running loose will grab such an animal.”
De Jonge: “In these months we have to be extra careful with our nature and enjoy the forest. People want that too, but they often underestimate it. ‘My dog listens well’, they say. But unfortunately that is not always possible on.”
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