AN angry dog owner says dog lovers should take care at a beauty spot between Petersfield and Horndean to avoid being fined for walking their pets off the lead in areas apparently free of livestock.

Lindsay Black used to take his six-year-old cocker spaniel Bonnie walking on Butser Hill almost every day.

But he was so incensed about the fixed penalty issue he got a refund on his season ticket for Butser Hill car park.

Mr Black, of Redshank Road in Horndean, said: “It is cruel to take her out and keep her on a lead, like most dogs she loves being outside, and wants to have a run.

“Queen Elizabeth Country Park wardens manage Butser on behalf of Hampshire County Council, and are issuing fines to dog walkers whose pets are off the lead, apparently regardless of any sheep or cattle are in the area.

“I wholeheartedly agree that if a dog worries sheep the owner should be fined the maximum amount.

“But there’s no signs warning it is an offence to walk a dog off the lead where there isn’t livestock.

“All owners, but especially the more local ones from East Hampshire who walk their dogs there every day, should be aware that they risk £70 fines if they don’t use a lead.”

Mr Black hasn’t been fined himself, and now takes Bonnie to Petersfield, Liphook or Hayling Island to enjoy daily walks off the lead.

Butser Hill visitor services manager Tim Speller was on holiday when the Post rang him for a view on the issue.

But in an email to Mr Black dated February 20, he outlined the position regarding dog walking on the hill.

He said: “Butser will always be grazed by sheep and cattle.…(but) at any one time most fenced-off compartments will be free of livestock.

“Wherever they are grazing there will be signs at the entry and exit points giving good warning to dog walkers.

“Under the conditions of the Dog Control Orders for Butser, all dogs must be kept on a lead where livestock are present, with a £70 fine if this is ignored.”

But the issue has its roots elsewhere, says a Clanfield dog owner, also unhappy with the Fixed Penalty regime being operated on the hill.

She said: “I know people who say they were fined for walking dogs in livestock free areas, which is very annoying, as it’s supposed to be an open space for everyone.

“But some dog owners haven’t endeared themselves to the wardens. Piles of full plastic dog waste bags are just left by the entry gates to the hill top for them to clear away, it’s not their job.

“Dog owners should take their pets waste away.”