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Dog walkers in Dunfermline are being urged to keep their pets on a lead in Pittencrieff Park to protect the resident peacocks.

The call by Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman follows tales of the majestic birds being chased and injured by untethered dogs.

The peacocks have been an attraction at the park for many years and can often be seen wandering into the High Street and surrounding roads.

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The SNP politician said: “These are wild birds so they cannot be expected to be kept in a cage all day.

“They need to be given the space to roam around the park, which they do.

“There are plenty of signs around the park warning dog walkers to keep their dog on a lead and under control, but it appears some people are still not doing so.

© DC Thomson

“These birds have been injured in the past by dogs,” he added.

“We cannot lose them as they are a great asset to Dunfermline and the park.”

© DC Thomson

The MP made it clear he is not discouraging anyone from walking their dogs in the park’s surroundings but was asking them to be considerate of other wildlife that makes the park its home.

“The volunteers who run the sanctuary for the peacocks do an incredible job in looking after them and I wouldn’t want all that to be undone by an irresponsible dog walker,” he said.

Mr Chapman made his comments following a visit to the park’s peacock pavilion, where he spoke to volunteers who said they had had to deal with a number of injured birds over the years.

There are several adult birds and four peachicks.