Protect wildlife this spring: leash your dog during breeding season
From March to mid-July, wildlife like birds and hedgehogs are breeding and raising their young. Keeping your dog on a leash helps prevent disturbances that could endanger nests and young animals, ensuring nature thrives this spring.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Breeding Season Period | March to mid-July |
| Affected Animals | Birds, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs |
| Leash Requirement | Mandatory outside designated off-leash areas |
| Beach Rules | Leash required from May 1 to October 1, 10:00–19:00 |
| Year-Round Leash Zones | Zandmotor, Schelpenpad, Watertoren (protected bird species areas) |
| Municipality | Westland |
| More Info | Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen |
The Municipality of Westland is responsible for managing public spaces, including parks, beaches, and nature reserves, to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and wildlife. This includes enforcing local regulations, such as leash laws, to protect vulnerable animal species during critical periods like the breeding season.
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Read the full translated article below
Breeding season has started: keep your dog on a leash
It is spring. That means the breeding season has begun. Until mid-July, this is an important period for many animals, such as birds, rabbits, hares, and hedgehogs. They mate, breed, and care for their young. This can only happen in peace and quiet.
That is why we ask you to keep your dog on a leash while walking. Off-leash dogs can scare animals. In some cases, animals abandon their nests or young. Eggs will not hatch, and young animals will not survive.
Your dog may only run free in designated off-leash areas. View where these areas are.
Tips for beach visitors
Are you taking your dog to the beach? Then take nature and other animals into account.
- keep your dog on a leash as much as possible
- from May 1 to October 1, it is mandatory to keep your dog on a leash between 10:00 and 19:00
- prevent your dog from chasing birds or rabbits, even at parking areas
In some places, your dog must remain on a leash all year round. This applies, for example, to the Zandmotor and at the beach entrances Schelpenpad and Watertoren. These areas are home to protected bird species that are particularly sensitive to disturbance.
More tips
Would you like to know more about how to take nature into account at the beach and in the dune area? Visit the website of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen (Links to an external website), of which Westland is a part. Thank you on behalf of nature!