Why was Hayley Wood temporarily closed?

Hayley Wood was temporarily closed due to repeat instances of dogs being off leads, disturbing wildlife and habitats, and abuse directed at staff and volunteers.

What new rules will be in place when Hayley Wood reopens?

Upon reopening, dogs will no longer be allowed in a fenced area and must be kept on leads elsewhere, except in a few clearly signposted areas.

Have there been other incidents involving dogs at wildlife reserves?

Yes, other incidents include a sheep killed by a dog at Pegsdon Hills reserve, a jogger bitten at Nene Wetlands, and a dog attacking a woodcock at Old Sulehay.

Home / Environment / Dog Chaos Forces Closure of Rare Cambridgeshire Wood

Dog Chaos Forces Closure of Rare Cambridgeshire Wood

9 Mar

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Summary

Ancient woodland shut for a month due to dog incidents.
Staff faced abuse over dogs disturbing wildlife and habitats.
New rules to restrict dogs upon reopening, including leads.
Previous incidents involved dog bites and livestock deaths.

Dog Chaos Forces Closure of Rare Cambridgeshire Wood

An ancient woodland in Cambridgeshire, Hayley Wood, has been temporarily closed for about a month following numerous issues with dogs being off their leads and subsequent abuse of staff and volunteers. The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire made the decision to protect the site's sensitive ecosystem.

This closure aims to address a pattern of concerning behaviour, including dogs disturbing rare wildflowers and birds. Staff have reported instances of verbal abuse when enforcing leash rules. The trust emphasized that Hayley Wood is a vital habitat for various species and not intended as a dog exercise area.

Upon reopening, new regulations will be implemented. Dogs will be prohibited from a fenced area and must be leashed elsewhere, with exceptions for small, marked zones. This decision follows other incidents, such as a sheep being killed by a dog at Pegsdon Hills reserve and a jogger being bitten at Nene Wetlands.

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