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Anne Riddell, with Matilda, King Charles Spaniel. Michelle Feely, with Huxley, Border terrier,Avril Castellazzo, with Mokka, Belgian Shepherd, Amanda Hansford, with Saxon, Field Spaniel,Theo Wilding-White, with Finzi, Welsh Fox Hound, Galinda Asher, with Gypsy, King Charles Spaniel – and her two children – Gideon, 3, and Benjamin in the pushchair, 1.
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Vets warn controls will only create more dangerous dogs
Howls of protest against controversial measure grows louder and louder
CONTROVERSIAL dog control laws could lead to a rise in dog fighting and attacks, vets across Camden have warned in a letter to the Town Hall.
Since the New Journal revealed plans which could see dog lovers facing a £1,000 fine if they let their pets off the lead in the street, fail to pick up dog mess, walk more than four dogs at one time or exercise their animals in a dog exclusion zone, massive public protest has forced the council to extend their consultation period for four weeks – originally due to end today (Thursday).
Christian Le Van, who runs the Well Animal Clinic in West End Lane, has sent a letter signed by 15 vets asking councillors to rethink the plan. He said he had no problem with large fines for people who allowed their dogs to foul pavements and parks, but he said he felt forcing dogs into small enclosures to exercise and making owners walk them on leads was cruel.
He said: “Allowing dogs off leads is very important in terms of socialisation. Restricting them to the lead will have long term effects on their behaviour. It is a recipe for fighting and dog attacks.”
Dog campaigner Avril Castellazzo, who exercises her Belgium Shepherd Tervenam called Mokka in Waterlow Park each day, has collected nearly 300 signatures in protest at the plans, while pet shop manager Elaine Taylor in Primrose Hill has garnered another 600 names.
The New Journal has also been inundated with letters on the subject.
Mrs Castellazzo said: “Irresponsible owners are the problem, not dog owners in general. For example, just because some people drink drive, doesn’t mean you should stop every one driving.
“I also wonder how this will be policed. Are wardens going to approach someone with a pit bull and ask them for their name and address so they can send them a fine for £1,000? I do not see how it can work.”
And Elaine Taylor of Primrose Hill Pets, who owns three Staffordshire Bull Terriers, said the plan was an attack on animal welfare. She said: “Not only is it a ridiculous plan, it is also cruel. The areas will be too small for dogs to have a proper run in and also we are worried that you will get too many dogs in there. Not every one can get to the Heath – either they or their dogs are elderly.
But Conservative Councillor Mike Greene said the dog control orders enjoyed ‘massive popular support.’
The Conservative Environment chief said: “This is a case of us listening to people.
“We’ve had a number of complaints from residents and visitors about irresponsible dog-owners, and there was a three-month consultation for our environment strategy. Support is coming from people who’ve been attacked by dogs, or who’ve seen people being attacked by dogs.”
Existing byelaws fall short in dealing with the problems caused by dogs in built up areas, he said, and the introduction of fixed penalty notices would make it easier to crackdown. Cllr Greene acknowledged the level of protest evidenced by the responses to the consultation and the letters pages of the New Journal.
He said: “It does show that temperatures are rising about it. But the vast majority of dog-owners are responsible, and I’d have thought they’d be in favour of things that encourage responsible dog-ownership.”
Last week, the Hampstead Heath consultative committee backed the council’s plans, while Heath superintendent Simon Lee said that there would be dog exclusion zones in children’s play areas, fines for people not removing dog mess, and a ban on dog walkers taking more than four animals on the Heath.
But he added dogs would still be allowed off the lead.
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