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IT'S THE WAR ON TERRIER!
No-go zones on estates as rival gangs use dogs as ‘weapons’
FEARS that dangerous dogs are being used as “weapons” by rival gangs has led to no-go zones being set up on estates in Queen’s Park and Churchill Gardens.
Controversial dog control orders are being piloted in danger hotspots for six months following a raft of complaints from residents.
Police, councillors and housing officials have been inundated with reports of snarling hounds being unleashed on passers-by “as a weapons substitute” and of nightly dog-fights.
Council chiefs say dangerous dogs and the scourge of dog mess plaguing estates is a “major problem”.
Any dogs found off the lead in Queen’s Park ward or on the Churchill Garden estate faces a penalty fine under the plans out for public consultation this week.
Queen’s Park ward councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said: “The police tell us that some young people have been acquiring dangerous dogs as a ‘weapon substitute’ and use their dogs to intimidate and frighten others. The new dog control orders will enable the police to take action to stop this menace.”
Conservative Cllr Alan Bradley said: “Many areas are plagued by aggressive dogs running around without leads on, which can be extremely intimidating. We want people to enjoy the open spaces.”
The council say exercising zones and dog socialising classes – where dogs learn how to be nice to each other – will be available in Queen’s Park.
But with open spaces at a premium in Westminster and the majority of dog-owners living in flats, animal rights campaigners fear the ban will lead to more pent-up aggression in the four-legged community.
A spokesman for the Kennel Club dog owners’ group, lobbying for dog rights across the country from its Piccadilly headquarters, said: “The order penalises responsible and irresponsible dog owners alike. The Animal Welfare Act clearly states that owners have a responsibility to exercise their dogs - limiting the main areas of dog walking by forcing all dogs to be on leads curbs owners’ ability to do this. We will be responding formally to the consultation in due course.”
Plans to roll-out the scheme across Westminster will go out for public consultation in the spring.as a ‘weapon substitute’. The new dog control orders will enable the police to take action to stop this menace.”
Conservative councillor Alan Bradley said: “Many areas are plagued by aggressive dogs running around without leads on, which can be extremely intimidating.”
The council say exercising zones and dog socialising classes will be available in Queen’s Park.
But with open spaces at a premium in Westminster and the majority of dog owners living in flats, animal rights campaigners fear the ban will lead to more pent-up aggression in the four-legged community.
A spokesman for the Kennel Club dog owners’ group, lobbying for dog rights across the country from its Piccadilly headquarters, said: “The order penalises responsible and irresponsible dog owners alike. The Animal Welfare Act clearly states that owners have a responsibility to exercise their dogs. Limiting the main areas of dog walking by forcing all dogs to be on leads curbs owners’ ability to do this. We will be responding formally to the consultation in due course.”
Plans to roll out the scheme across Westminster will go out for public consultation in the spring. |
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