A new decree concerning walks in the forest could cost you dearly if you do not respect it.
To get our four-legged friends frolicking, nothing beats… a walk in the forest. An ideal place to stretch your legs and play in complete freedom, the woods are very popular with walkers with their animal friends. But be careful, there are certain rules to respect. If some are well known to everyone, notably the wearing of muzzles for certain races, in public places, trains or even the street, others are less known, or even completely new.
This is the case of a new decree published on April 8, legislating on “the straying of dogs”, according to the Légifrance public service website. In the first article of the said decree, it is stated that from April 15 to June 30, 2024, it will be prohibited to walk your dog without a leash in the forest outside of forest paths and within 100 meters of its owner, under penalty of fine. fine of up to 750 euros. This is indeed a crucial period during which wild animals give birth.
“To prevent the destruction of birds and all species of game and to promote their repopulation, it is prohibited to allow dogs to roam in cultivated or uncultivated land, meadows, vineyards, orchards, woods, as well as in marshes and on the banks of watercourses, ponds and lakes. In woods and forests, it is prohibited to walk dogs not on a leash outside forest paths during the period from April 15 to June 30”, is- it detailed in this official text.
But the writing is not new! At the origin of this ban which may seem surprising: a decree dating back… to 1955 and already setting out this deadline for the protection of the fauna of our woods. Forests are not just a place for dogs and their owners to walk. It is also the habitat of many wild species, some of which are particularly sensitive to canine intrusions. The small mammals, birds and other animals that inhabit our woods are often endangered by the presence of free-roaming dogs. The smells and movements of dogs can disturb these animals and cause them to flee their natural habitat, sometimes to the detriment of their survival.
Spring is a particularly delicate time for wildlife. This is the time when many species give birth to their offspring. The little ones, often fragile and not very mobile, are extremely vulnerable to external disturbances. The presence of free-roaming dogs considerably increases stress for these animals, and can even lead to the death of young individuals who are abandoned by their parents.
The damage caused by free-ranging dogs can therefore have dramatic consequences on local biodiversity. The ban on walking your dog without a leash in the forest during the spring and early summer period therefore aims to preserve the fragile balance of ecosystems. Dog owners are invited to respect these regulations to contribute to the preservation of nature and the well-being of wild animals.