A walk for us, a home for wildlife

Illustrative photograph: Victoria V (@torirori) / Unsplash. The photograph was not taken at Albert Park.

The dog stops, a bird moves in the reeds, and an ordinary walk changes in a moment. Sharing the outdoors means noticing who was there before us. A recent report from Melbourne is a sobering reminder of how much can depend on a lead and a little distance.

On 30 October 2026, Parks Victoria reported seven attacks by off-lead dogs on Black Swans and their young at Albert Park since 29 July. Six incidents resulted in swan deaths. The park is increasing patrols and signs. Dogs must be on a lead outside the two designated off-lead areas and are not allowed in the lake.

This is an official park report, not a scientific study. It cannot tell us how often such attacks happen elsewhere or which dogs are most likely to chase wildlife. The useful question for our own walks is simpler: how can we avoid putting our companion and another animal into a situation we cannot control?

The Australian rules do not apply in Switzerland. Here, requirements vary with the canton, municipality and protected area. Swisstopo points walkers to current wildlife protection maps and recommends keeping dogs on a lead, especially in forests. Check the area’s restrictions before leaving and read the signs on arrival.

Lucerne provides one concrete example: dogs must be on a lead in forests and within 50 metres of forest edges from 1 April to 31 July. Protected areas can have year-round requirements. These are local rules, not a single nationwide calendar.