With the Sefton coast’s famous and rare Natterjack Toads out of hibernation and spawning, Sefton Council is reminding dog walkers of the importance of keeping dogs out of the water.

When dogs enter the pools used by the noisy natives, they disturb insect larvae, destroy spawn strings and wash tadpoles out onto banks where they quickly die. Also, flea treatments contain powerful insecticides which poison the water and decimate food chains.

Dogs absolutely welcome 

Green Sefton’s Principal Engagement Officer John Dempsey, who produces the weekly column about Sefton’s coast in the Southport Visiter, said: “Dogs are absolutely welcome on our coastline, but the impact of their activity can be difficult to spot. That’s why we’re appealing to dog owners to exercise their pets responsibly.

“This is vital if threatened Natterjack Toads, and other protected amphibians, are going breed successfully. If we lose them, they’re gone for good.”

Take The Lead

As the season progresses Sefton Council will be rolling out a Take The Lead campaign to explain exactly how life on the Sefton Coast, from large to small, benefits from responsible dog ownership.

Supported by the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership Board, whose members along with the Sefton Council include the National Trust and the RSPB, will contain a range of information. This includes how resting and migratory birds can be disturbed by dogs and the risks of dogs trying to eat foreign debris and items washed up from the sea.

Truly proud

Mr Dempsey added: “We know that most Sefton residents are truly proud of our spectacular coastal habitat and the messages we share through Take The Lead will focus on keeping pets safe while preserving and protecting our very rare and special habitats and wildlife.” 

“It is about empowering dog owners and walkers with the knowledge to help them protect the areas where they walk and unsurprisingly it does also stress the importance of picking up after our dogs.

“None of us likes to step in dog mess or think of our children playing near it and clearing it up also protects our coast’s special animals and habitats along the coast.” 

In recent years grazing livestock have been injured and killed in dog attacks. As a result, updated coastal Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) that require dogs to be kept on leads inside conservation grazing enclosures are now in place.

Partnership

Dempsey continued: “We prefer to work in partnership with public so that they understand the risks that out-of-control dogs can cause and face, but enforcement is in place in the form of these PSPOs for those who refuse to act reasonably.”

People can find out more about Sefton's nature reserves here.