Swan Attack on Hampstead Heath by Dog

There are always going to be issues on Hampstead Heath concerning dogs and safety. Put that many dogs in one place, and they're likely to clash with one-another, and potentially with other animals, at some point or other.

    Over the summer, 15 cygnets (baby swans) were born on Hampstead Heath. It doesn't seem like a very large number (though it is actually considered a heathly growth in the swan population as there are only three swan couples on Hampstead Heath) and that makes it all the more sad that one was attacked and mauled by a dog last weekend.

    The cygnet survived, but after receiving treatment, was then rejected by it's mother. Luckily the swan is of the age that it can survive alone, but it does mean that it will have to be relocated to Lee Valley Park along with her brother who was injured in an unrelated incident.

    Needless to say, losing two of 15 new swans on the Heath is a sad thing, and there is understandable annoyance at the owners of dogs who can't control their animals. There are fences around the ponds to protect the wildlife, and signs asking for owners to keep their pets on leads when near such areas.

    So should new rules be brought in to control the owners of such animals? Should they be fined for damaging public property? Or is it just part of the risk of having animals in public places?