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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 21 March 2008

Parents and their children gather in Battishill Street Gardens to oppose plans to open up the green space for dogs

Parents in backlash over plans to let dogs in parks

Fears plans to give pets more access could put kids’ health at risk

DOGS are set to be allowed into park areas where they have previously been banned – leading to complaints from parents that their children are being put at risk.
Islington Council is currently reviewing plans to deal with unruly pets by fining their owners, but councillors were this week accused of hiding plans to also open up dog-free areas in the borough’s parks.
The areas under consideration for a change in policy include Gibson Square, Canonbury Square, Battishill Street Gardens, New River Walk and Compton Terrace Gardens.
Under the council proposals, dog-free areas would be opened up to dogs on the condition that their owners clean up after them and they are leashed when asked by an officer.
Dog owner Kay Leedham-Green, of Waterloo Terrace, Angel, said: “This is a massive change of use and they have a duty to consult on it. My neighbours who read the consultation did not realise our park was going to be open to dogs. It’s sheer lazy legislation. They need to get off their backsides, walk round and make a list of where dogs are banned.”
Ms Leedham-Green, whose 10-year-old son Charlie uses Battishill Street Gardens off Upper Street for his birthday party each year, added: “My son has birthday parties in that park every year. We have up to 20 kids playing hide and seek in the bushes. Can you imagine that if it was full of dogs’ mess? It’s an awful end to an era.
“Dog poo can contain toxocara canis which can cause blindness in small children.
“There’s a sizeable minority of dog owners who will never pick up after their dog and where owners actually do, there’s always going to be a residue and the worms take months to die.”
She added: “It’s unrealistic to think an £80 fine is enough to stop people leaving dogs’ mess. What about enforcement? Have you ever tried asking a man with two rottweilers for £80? Are they going to march him to the cashpoint? Little old ladies walking their dogs are more likely to be targeted.”
Labour councillor Wally Burgess, who chaired a council committee which looked into the plans, said: “It didn’t quite sink in that there would be more freedom for dogs. If they are extending the areas and not saying where they are and people can’t vote on a list, that’s a failing.
“They won’t get the impact unless they can see what’s currently there.”
Islington’s Liberal Democrat deputy council leader Terry Stacy said: “Nothing has been decided yet and we want people to let us know their thoughts.
“The previous bits and pieces of legislation and byelaws that applied to dogs didn’t necessarily follow any form of logic and are a bit of a mess and need to be sorted. When considering proposals to cover the whole borough we think it’s important to apply the same logic to all sites.”
He added: “With these Dog Control Orders we have the chance to come up with some sensible regulations that will benefit everyone, and strike the right balance between people who own dogs and those who don’t.”
The consultation on the proposals ends on April 11. For details, visit www.islington.gov.uk/
dogs

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