Dog owners visiting Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park have been urged to keep their pets on leads amid fears that the town’s beloved peacocks could die from an attack.
It follows video from Sunday showing loose dogs causing panic among peacocks.
As a result wardens at the park have issued a plea to dog owners.
There have been free-roaming peacocks in the park for nearly 120 years.
Fears a peacock could die if chased by dogs in Dunfermline park
In 2021, Xander, a two-year-old peacock, died after being chased by a dog in the park.
He broke his neck when he flew into a glass partition at the Peacock Rooms Cafe.
Assistant warden for the peacocks at the park, Carlyn Cane, said: “I don’t know how often we have to tell dog owners to keep their pets on the lead in the park.
“It appears we still need to raise more awareness among owners.
“Two dogs were off the lead in the park on Sunday and were chasing the peacocks causing panic.
“Dogs don’t need to attack a peacock to cause it to die.
“The birds will always be spooked if they are chased, even if the dog is ‘just playing’ and they can fly into things in fright and die.
“They also have little hearts, so the fright can cause them to die as well.
“I don’t want to have to pick up the body of a dead peacock I love because a dog has been let off the lead.
“It happened in 2021 and it could happen again.”
Public asked to keep dogs on leads at Pittencrieff Park
Carlyn says that Fife Council promised in September last year that signs would be installed in the park telling people to keep their dogs on leads.
She said: “We are asking people to help us out by obeying the instruction while we wait for the signs to be made.”
There are currently 20 peacocks at the park, with 11 of these roaming free.
Dunfermline’s beloved peacocks were awarded the Freedom of the City last August.
The honour recognised the importance of the birds, which have roamed the parks and streets since they were introduced by philanthropist Henry Beveridge after a trip to India in 1905.
While they’re based in Pittencrieff Park, they are often seen wandering alongside shoppers on the High Street.
Fife Council ‘finalising design of additional signs’
Fife Council’s safer communities team manager Patricia Spacey said: “I’m sorry to hear about the latest incidents of dogs frightening the peacocks.
“Signage is already in the park about keeping dogs on the lead, and we have also shared other messages locally about being responsible with animals around the peacocks.
“We will install them around the west area of the park as soon as they’re ready.”
She added: “We continue to regularly carry out patrols in Pittencrieff Park to raise awareness with dog owners about the importance of keeping dogs on leads and ensuring they are well trained.
“If you see a dog out of control, please contact Fife Council’s dog control team by email or by phoning 03451 55 00 22.”
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