Dog attacks are a daily occurrence on the Model Boating Pond and surrounding ponds in the London Hampstead Heath area, but yet the City of London Corporation fail in their duty to do anything meaningful to stop this from happening. Recently there has been a spate of attacks on one swan family in a short period of time, with three cygnets found decapitated: according to the City of London Corporation caused by fox attacks. A recent noose attack on one of the last two cygnets which was reported by the Ham&High Newspaper suggests that the previous cygnet killings have been the work of people maybe with dogs and making it look like fox attacks.

The City of London Corporation have recently finished the Dam Project which included the building of an island (also known as a peninsula) in the Model Boating Pond. Many people who regularly visit this area of the Heath were under the impression that this tiny area of land was going to be a safe haven for wildlife and especially for swans and their young cygnets when they are especially vulnerable and unable to fly, and who are the target of daily attacks by dogs and now people. But this is not to be the case. The City of London Corporation have decided that they will allow public access to this island once the grass is grown. After a few emails asking and persuading them not to allow public access to this island, they somewhat changed their tune and said that they plan to cordon off part of this island for wildlife, which does not make sense due to its size and indeed that wildlife will not be able to distinguish between their area and the public’s area. Doing this will clearly cause conflict with wildlife and especially the swans who will use it as a safe haven for grazing once the land is established with vegetation and for nesting without fear of attacks. Allowing public access (rather than that the island be made safe for wildlife as was hoped) will only attract more visitors to this tiny area of land, some with good intentions and some out to harm these birds, like the recent noose attack incident suggests.

Please sign this petition today to ask the City of London Corporation to change their minds and stop public access to the Model Boating Pond island, which may be one answer to reducing dog and people attacks on these beautiful birds which are protected by law.  

View island in Model Boating Pond Here

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