PROFESSIONAL dog walkers are wreaking havoc in a nature reserve by bringing in large groups of the animals which then scare and attack wildlife, it has been claimed.

Staff at Chigwell Riding Trust say that Roding Valley Meadows in Chigwell is being blighted by teams of people who are using the area to walk six or more dogs on a regular basis, often letting them off their leads.

Deborah Hall, the manager of the trust – which provides rides for disabled children and adults – said her horses were being frightened by packs of the dogs, and that they were responsible for a number of attacks on birds.

She said: “Myself and my staff are very concerned for the safety of our riders and the horses.

“A while ago we had a member of staff whose pony was scared by a dog. She fell off and then it came down on top of her and she broke her leg.

“It's bad enough if it happens with a member of staff but God knows if it happened to one of our disabled riders. Some of the children can be very unpredictable in how they behave and many of them are scared to death of dogs.

“And only last week a dog attacked one of the swans in the reserve and ripped its wing off. Five cygnets were also killed.

“It's such a shame. We've been watching the swans sitting on their eggs and were monitoring them since they were born.”

Ms Hall, who has lived and worked in Grange Farm for 29 years, now wants the authorities to consider restricting professional dog walkers and limiting the amount of dogs one person can walk with to three.

She added: “I have two dogs myself and we have no problem with sensible and responsible walkers. The issue is large groups of dogs being walked around by people who are only doing it for money.

“What we do provides a wonderful opportunity not just to teach the children riding but to teach them about wildlife. It's supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable but now we're afraid for our safety.”

Epping Forest District Council, which owns the reserve, has been asked to comment by the Guardian.