Benson is not The Messiah, he's a Very Naughty Boy!

[NunTheWiser]

[ditavonteesed]

saw that on facebook, just goes to show your voice changes when you are stressed, different recall methods needed I tthink.

[NunTheWiser]

Benton, sorry...

[CalamityKate]

See, everybody's all "Oh how funny! LOL!" on Facebook but it would seem I'm having a total sense of humour failure about the whole thing.

I just see those deer charging towards the road, and nightmare images fill my head of what could have happened...

[Popbiscuit]

I almost pmsl but then came to my senses. Could have been really horrible. I'm surprised that dogs are allowed off-lead in a deer park?

[G0ldenbrown]

I'm not finding it funny calamity. I don't know the area so perhaps I'm being unfair, but why was his dog off lead amongst livestock?

[CalamityKate]

I was told on FB I need to "chill out". The same person tried to explain prey drive to me, and that (paraphrasing) "most dogs wouldn't be able to resist chasing deer and not many would recall in that situation".

Absolutely agreed. I wouldn't trust my dog in that situation. That's why I would KEEP HER ON A LEAD!

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

The dog is called Fenton, there are numerous threads on MN referring to this incident.

You can never be 100% sure that your dog will NOT 'zone out' and the poor owner was trying his best to get the dog back.

There was no harm done, nobody was hurt and Richmond Park is a massive area. The dear are lowing in the grass and can startle a dog and then they in turn run off and the dog cant help itself.

Vigilance is key when walking in an area like RP or other Royal PArks nearby.

To say "keep the dog on a lead" really isnt feasible.

[SoupDragon]

"To say "keep the dog on a lead" really isnt feasible."

Yes it is.

[G0ldenbrown]

"To say "keep the dog on a lead" really isnt feasible."

Of course it is. I do it. I choose placed without livestock to let her off the lead. Others use a long lead so they have more space to run. or you just don't take your dog there. You do whatever you can to avoid having your dog chase an entire herd of deer across a road (no matter how slow the cars are moving!). I do it, I do it for her safety, not for the other animals. To say it can't be done is puzzling

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

I was replying to someone saying always keep the dog on a lead. That isnt feasible.

I think you all forget the 'there but for the grace' - all of our dogs have the potential to do that, regardless of how well trained they are.

Have you considered that the people living in the area have no choice but to walk their dogs in Royal Parks? Not everyone lives in the middle of nowhere. Maybe the deer should be moved to somewhere more suitable?

[Avantia]

Agree with Jax

Bushy and Richmond park are lovely open areas - which with responsible dog owners can be used for dogs off lead. You do have to keep an constant eye for deer because they can move suddenly and the stag often lie low in the grass.

Yes keep you dog on a lead if they are nearby but other than that dogs off lead in Royal Parks are OK.

[SoupDragon]

"I was replying to someone saying always keep the dog on a lead. That isnt feasible."

But is is.

Dill is always on a lead because I have yet to find anything that is better to him than freedom.

[Slubberdegullion]

Jax and Avantia but the thing is that when you are walking your dog in a public area you are legally obliged to keep it under control I think it's The Dogs Act 1871. So if you are walking in a public park where there are deer and you couldn't 100% guarantee that your dog will recall immediately if it starts to chase the deer then you have to keep it on a lead.

It's a public safety issue first and foremost. Have either of you ever hit an animal the size of a deer moving at speed in a car? I have (although it was a kangaroo). It wrote off the car. Take yourself out of the car and picture yourself walking in the park with your toddler and a herd of terrified deer come charging towards you.

I would keep my dog on the lead at all times in a park like that. Or find somewhere else to walk.

[Avantia]

Control your dog doesn't necessary mean keeping it on a lead or long line.

The Royal Parks in London are massive and they do allow dogs to be off lead - there are some areas where they must be on lead around some of the ponds due to bird wildlife . Parks info also tells you where to avoid in certain seasons - bracken for example .

However the deer are free to roam so you have to constantly keep a look out - that doesn't mean keeping your dog on lead all the time.

[Avantia]

Take a look at the size of Richmond and Bushy Park -

richmond park

bushy park

Some of us dont live near any other such big open spaces _ also walk my dogs in nearby woods - have seen a deer in there too in there before now - should I keep dog on lead there aswell ?

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

Having control is not the same as always having a dog on lead.

If you knew the area like I or others did you would know that having your dog off lead was ok in certain areas.

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

I am sure the dog owner has learnt a harsh lesson.

[Avantia]

BY walking in these parks regularly you get to know where the deer are likely to be - also other dog walker will tell you if they have seen deer nearby . You are always on the look out and walk your dog according to the conditions which doesn't necessarily mean being on lead .

These parks are fantastic open spaces - yes the deer will sometimes get spooked by dogs but they also get spooked by people getting too close - shall we ban people from parks aswell ?

woman attacked by deer

Has happened this year too.

[Slubberdegullion]

I know those parks. I used to live in London.

Keeping your dog under control means keeping it on a lead or being 100% confident that it will recall immediately from whatever distractions may arise. If you are walking in a park, regardless of it's size, where there are free roaming deer and you cannot swear your dog would come back if it started to chase one then you keep your dog on the lead.

I cannot see how you can argue around that one so yes I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

[Slubberdegullion]

Avantia people spooking deer is not the point.

You are under a legal and moral obligation to keep your dog under control if you are walking in a public area. Knowing where the deer usually are, relying on other walkers telling you where the deer are... It's not enough I'm sorry.

An animal that size running terrified at speed is not something I would want to get in the way of. Off lead dogs flush and chase deer. On lead dogs don't.

[Avantia]

Well yes we will agree to disagree and I like hundreds of others will continue to walk their dogs off lead in the Royal Parks .

That does not however make us irresponsible dog owners.

[Slubberdegullion]

OK