|
|
 |
| |
Dogs have their day with right outcome
• WHEN Camden first published their dog control proposals on February 15 there was a quick reaction from the dog owners as they considered these proposals to be too restrictive.
As a result, our shop organised a petition which attracted over 730 signatures asking Camden to look at these proposals again.
I was invited to meet Councillor Mike Green, chair of the Environment Sub Group, along with a representative from the Kennel Club and a resident from the south of the borough to discuss in detail where we considered the proposals to be detrimental to the welfare of the dogs and their owners.
In the meantime, because of the outcry against these proposals, Camden extended the consultation period for a further four weeks and also produced an online questionnaire which received 576 responses, plus 96 written responses, 700 e-mail responses, 11 petitions with 1,400 signatures and many phone calls taken by Street Environment Services, Parks and Open Spaces and Heath Police.
Face-to-face discussions were also held with park users at events on Hampstead Heath.
I was then invited by Councillor Green to put a deputation to the Executive Environment Sub Group on the May 17.
At this meeting in the council chambers, chaired by Councillor Green, all the restrictions that had been proposed were discussed and the residents’ views were taken into consideration.
This has resulted in sensible dog control orders being implemented.
There will be no restrictions for dogs off leads, except for a few places, such as children’s play areas, food areas, and certain other areas nominated by Camden.
It is a requirement that all dog mess is picked up wherever it is in the borough.
Dogs will be able to go into the shrubbery but not in planted areas.
Full details will be on the council’s website.
Any infringement of the council’s dog control order will result in being served with a fixed penalty order, but only after not complying with a verbal request from an authorised officer – education and common sense being the first line of action.
At a time when there is so much criticism about local government, I would like to compliment Camden and especially Councillor Green and Richard Bradbury, head of Environment Services, on the way they have listened to all interested parties in this consultation and taken on board all that they have heard, which had enabled the council to bring a sensible dog control order.
There are one or two areas of the proposals for which no decisions have yet been taken – the number of dogs walked and restrictions of dogs on the estates
Further discussion and advice is being taken on these matters.
GAIL LEVY
Primrose Hill Pets
Regents Park Road, NW1
• APOLLO the Akita is renowned for attacking dogs on Primrose Hill (Shitzu saves Harris from 100lb hunting dog, May 17) and he is always getting out of his garden.
How Apollo hasn’t killed a dog by now I do not know.
Any dog should be put to sleep for biting another dog so ferociously.
I know Harris through walking my dog and he is a loveable friendly dog.
Even now, after what he has been through, he still gives you a little wag of his tail.
His wounds were horrific and he must have been in so much pain.
No dog deserves to go through that and yet nothing is done.
I have seen Apollo walking in Primrose Hill by himself as early as 6am in the past and also wandering up and down his street many times over the past few years.
Obviously, what happened to poor Harris proves that Apollo is a menace to other dogs. I am so glad poor Harris is making a good recovery, he is a wonderful dog and has a good companion in little Chopper.
I just hope in the foreseeable future Apollo does not get out of the garden again to attack another vulnerable dog
Name and address supplied
• I AM delighted and relieved to see that, thanks to Mike Green’s leadership, common sense has prevailed in Camden Council’s implementation of the dog control order.
Credit should go to the many individuals and organisations who left apathy behind and made tireless efforts to bring this to the public notice by distributing our leaflets, organising petitions and drawing this to the attention of the media.
And I bet most of them would say they are not interested in politics!
This just proves that individuals can prevail over government and I think it reminds our ‘political masters’ that they are also public servants and we are the public!
I hope Camden’s approach to this will be noticed nationwide and be an inspiration to other boroughs and the people who live there.
DARYL FIELDING
Chairman
Camden Dog Lovers Association
• YOU know the government, councils and the police are not serious about dealing with dangerous dogs when a man, whose ‘pit bull-type’ terrier has mauled a little girl to death, escapes with an eight-week jail term.
The recent anti-dog legislation pretended dangerous dogs were its primary concern, but one does not need a crystal ball to know what will happen next.
Firstly, nothing whatsoever will be done about dangerous dogs. NOTHING.
And secondly, on-the-spot fines, as a means of cynically generating revenue rather than amending anti-social behaviour will be introduced, as it was always intended they should be.
They asked for much more than they ever expected to get, knowing full well that most people would mistake the council apparently backing down as both a victory for dogs and democracy.
Tragically, it is quite the reverse, as we shall see.
TARQUIN KYLE
Oppidans Road, NW3 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
