Conservation managers of one of Croydon’s sites of special scientific interest plead with public to behave responsibly when entering livestock areas
Avid viewers of Clarkson’s Farm (other farming TV shows are available) will have picked up on the importance of some grazing animals to efforts to increase or improve biodiversity in our green and open spaces.
Grazing machines: the flock has returned to Happy Valley
So nature lovers in Coulsdon were delighted last week to see the return to the Happy Valley nature reserve of a flock of grass-hungry sheep, let loose to graze the hillsides and open up areas of scrub to assist in the conservation of species of wildlife.
It is a poignant return, six months after the flock had to be removed for its own safety after a series of attacks by the pet dogs of members of the public.
The flock is managed by conservation group the Downlands Partnership, and the returning sheep are accompanied by some lurid yellow warning signs which make it abundantly clear to all do-walkers: keep your pet on a lead in livestock areas.
Sean Grufferty, a senior officer at the Downlands Partnership, told Inside Croydon, “We’ve got new signage up which is hopefully attention-grabbing enough that people will take note.”
This Saturday, May 18, the Downlands Partnership will also be hosting a stand from 9am to 11am near the grazing paddock to engage with dog walkers.
Clear enough: keeping dogs on a lead keeps the livestock and the pets safe
Grufferty says, “Please do take notice of this request on our signs as it’s as much for the safety of your dog as the sheep.
“Last year saw the Downlands Partnership suffer three dog attacks on consecutive days which sadly led to the loss of sheep. And just a couple of weeks ago one of the cows at Chipstead was attacked and injured by an out-of-control dog.
“Your dog will not suffer by being on a lead!”
The incidents at Happy Valley at the end of November was particularly distressing.
Three sheep were killed as a result of the dog attacks. In one instance, the dog owner left the scene without reporting the incident, leaving one animal in agonising pain and distress for some time, until it was discovered by a warden and eventually euthenised.
The flock was removed shortly after to safer pastures of the Partnership’s farm in Carshalton.
Happy Valley is one of the most biodiverse habitats in Europe. Grazing sheep there is very important to keep it that way.
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Signs?! That won’t deter today’s breed of selfish dog owners – more robust measures are needed, stopping just short of armed rangers. I think it’s time to ban dogs altogether from large parts of our precious green spaces.