A petition has been launched to challenge the decision by the Royal Parks to impose a compulsory requirement for owners to keep their dogs on leads during the deer-birthing season in Bushy and Richmond Parks.

By 11.30am this morning, the petition, started by Tamra Cave, had attracted 1312 signatures.

She states in the petition: "This new regulation is using a sledge hammer to crack a nut. Keeping a dog permanently on a lead in a park is like giving a child a toy and saying you can't play with it!"

In imposing the new rules last Tuesday the Royal Parks announced that there had been 90 incidents involving dogs in the parks and two owners are due to appear in court this week for failing to control their dogs and triggering incidents with deer. The rule will be lifted in August.

Tamra Cave says in her petition: "Each year an estimated 365,000 dog walks occur in Bushy & Richmond Park

"Last year there were 90 reported incidents of dogs troubling deer. This was a year that saw a massive spike in park use due to Covid and the purchase of dogs.

"But even so this only equates to a 0.03% risk of an incident of a dog troubling a deer.

"Each year 90 deer are culled by Royal parks; shooting them to keep the deer population down.

"Last year saw 5 incidents of dogs causing the death of a deer in both parks.

"Let's do a realistic risk assessment here. We all need to work together as animal and park lovers to enjoy the park and keep everyone safe - deer, dogs, children, cyclists and runners.

"Let's be sympathetic to one another so we can all enjoy our beautiful parks.

"The deer breeding areas can be marked on maps so as to be avoided and dogs kept on lead around these areas. We have never needed to keep dogs on leads any other year during breeding season. Last year's rule changes were all about Covid.

"This new regulation is using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

"Keeping a dog permanently on a lead in a park is like giving a child a toy and saying you can't play with it!

"Please sign if you believe we can do this a better way."