Dogs and owners work to help protect countryside

Nell Parry said she and her dog Indie had got a lot out of the guided dog walks

Dogs and their owners are being encouraged to enjoy the countryside in a way that respects the environment as the number of dog walkers increases.

Local authorities say there are more and more people walking their dogs in east Devon as more homes are built in the area.

Devon Loves Dogs is funded by local councils and offers guided walks and advice to dog owners.

People behind the scheme said picking up dog mess and not allowing dogs near nesting or grazing sites were the two most important issues.

Julie Owen and her black labrador Maisie

Julie Owen is coordinator at Devon Loves Dogs, a project funded by East Devon District Council, Teignbridge District Council and Exeter City Council.

Ms Owen said: "People are out all the time all across our protected sites, so it's really about helping people to know a bit more about those places so they can do the right thing when they're out with their dog.

"It's also about being on top of things - so watching your dog when you're out on a walk, making sure you've got a lead, poo bags and making sure you're really engaged with your dog so you know where they are at all times and what they're up to."

Kim Strawbridge is the reserves manager for Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust

Devon Loves Dogs is one of the projects run by South East Devon Wildlife, which has been set up to protect three wildlife sites in the area - the Pebblebed Heaths on Woodbury and surrounding commons, the Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren.

Kim Strawbridge, reserves manager for Pebblebed Heaths, said there were about 900,000 visitors each year to the site with about three-quarters of those people walking their dogs.

She said: "At this time of year, we've got our ground-nesting birds, so most of the birds here are nesting in the vegetation on or close to the floor.

"By staying on the paths and keeping your dog under control you're really making space for those birds to thrive."

Dog mess could be a issue but Ms Strawbridge said most people "bag it and bin it".

She said: "But not everyone is on it - so it's really important that dog walkers have their eyes on their dogs so they can clear up after them.

"I think most of the waste that's left is purely people just not paying enough attention."

L-R Sarah Peel with her dog Ivy, Marion Wheeler with her dog Vinty, Karen Heywood with her dog Ernie and Nell Parry with her dog Indie

Dog walker Nell Parry said: "It's great socialisation for dogs and it's great for people - just to meet and know where you are and to learn about the environment and how to protect it."

Karen Heywood, out walking with her dog Ernie, said: "It's been quite enlightening about the birds and the nesting season.

"You don't feel embarrassed if your dog is not quite behaving itself - it's not all about perfectly-behaved dogs, it's about learning to be with other animals."

Devon Loves Dogs has been nationally recognised by the Forestry Commission as a best-practice community-based scheme.

Walks are free and held throughout the year.