Springtime pet safety: Foresters urge leash use to protect wildlife

With its increased nature walks, spring is a challenging time for wild animals. They are teaching their offspring to be independent, making this period particularly significant. Foresters are urging dog owners not to let their dogs off-leash in the forest. A startled fawn might leave the spot where its mother left it.

Many dog owners let their pets run loose during forest walks to allow them to roam freely. However, it is worth remembering that a forest or a wild meadow is not a dog park, and one can often encounter other animals in these areas.

Keeping your pet on a leash is advisable for its well-being. This precaution can often prevent dangerous encounters, such as with wild boars, and also help other forest inhabitants feel safe, especially in spring.

Foresters emphasize how crucial this is during this time. In their appeal, they stress the well-being of young fawns, which, left in a meadow by their mothers, can find themselves in mortal danger when confronted by dogs.

Mother Nature knows best how to care for the young. That's why, knowing how defenseless fawns are right after birth, she equipped them with a specific defense system: special coloration, a complete lack of scent, and the ability to remain motionless, informs State Forests.

This is information worth repeating until it reaches everyone, as situations still occur where someone takes a tiny fawn from a meadow, thinking it has been abandoned by its mother, while it is actually learning independence.

During this time, the female forages, gains strength, and returns to her youth to feed every few hours. Her chances of growing up in the natural environment diminish if she doesn't find it where she left it.

Foresters appeal no to let your dogs off-leash in the forest. A startled fawn might leave the spot where it was left. If you encounter young ones in the forest - do not try to rescue them!