More and more people ignore the rules and let dogs run off leash, says Natuur en Bos. “In Vloethemveld in West Flanders, four ewes died on Saturday after they were attacked by a stray dog. In Overpelt, two German shepherd dogs bit a Shetland pony to death on Friday. And in Lintbos in Flemish Brabant, a stray dog hit a horse with rider on Sunday. The man ended up in a barbed wire and was injured. “
There is a minimum fine of 80 euros for not leashing a dog, but that amount can increase depending on the number of stray dogs, the damage caused to nature and any recidivism behavior. “Let us be clear: stray dogs not only endanger other recreationists and their (pets) animals, but also the nature in which they move. Just think of disturbing ground-nesting birds or chasing deer.”
Natuur en Bos also claims more complaints about mountain bikers who hinder hikers. On bicycles where it is not allowed, fines are between 100 and 150 euros.
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