Commercial dog walkers to be fined for using Helm east, Oxenholme
Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District is cracking down on commercial dog walkers that use the eastern side of the Helm at Oxenholme, which it has owned since 2008.
The charity said commercial dog walking activities have generated a “growing number of complaints from walkers, families and legitimate dog owners”.
Douglas Chalmers, Friends of the Lake District Chief Executive, said: “Initially and then during lockdown, we took a tolerant view of this commercial activity on our land because of the difficult circumstances for everyone, but the use by commercial dog walking companies is increasing and so are the complaints we are receiving as the land owner.
“As a landscape charity, we have always worked to secure a landscape that is accessible and available for everybody to enjoy. Unfortunately, this illegal use of our land has become untenable and its impact unfair on legitimate users, wildlife and the Fell Ponies and cattle that graze the Helm.”
The charity will now monitor the use of the land and will notify South Lakeland District Council officers, who can impose fines.
The complaints received include reports ofunleashed groups of dogs chasing fell ponies, while there has been also been incidents of disturbance to nesting birds and foxes at the site, the charity said. Walkers have also reported incidents of aggressive behaviour and intimidation from large groups of dogs “inadequately” controlled or supervised.
The charity has contacted a number of local commercial dog walking businesses to advise them that the site is now being monitored and its use by commercial dog walking businesses is now subject to penalty fines as set out in the CROW Act.
