Dog walker calls for safer sites
A dog walker has called for the provision of more areas where people can walk their pets.
Newark and Sherwood District Council introduced Dog Control Orders banning dogs from more than 70 sites.
A person cannot take more than six dogs on leads on Marsh Lane playing field, Farndon, and at two locations in Fiskerton-cum-Morton.
Dogs must be kept on leads at London Road Cemetery, Newark, and at locations in Balderton, Edwinstowe, Halam, Rolleston and Southwell.
Mr Gary Wood, of Appletongate, Newark, said: “What frustrates me about these orders is that I own two dogs who walk as well off the lead as they do on it.
“I would class myself as a model dog owner as I always clean up after them, however the same cannot be said about all dogs owners so I appreciate the need for this act.
“My main frustration has to be vented towards the district council, which seems unable to provide a suitable area for dog walkers.”
Mr Wood said he walked his 11/2-year-old Jack Russells, Hugo and Boss, in Friary Park. He said he had to inspect the area for broken glass before exercising his pets and he often picked up empty beer cans and other litter.
He said he spent about £400 on veterinary treatment for injuries to his pets, such as cut paws, caused by litter in parks.
Mr Wood said the installation of security cameras might make people appreciate the areas more.
Clarissa Baldwin, the chief executive of the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, said she was dismayed and concerned that dogs had been banned from 72 parks.
She said the trust would write to the council to try to work out an alternative solution.
The district council’s parks and amenities manager, Mr Phil Beard, said: “The council is proud to have four Green Flag-award winning parks, marking them out as among the best green spaces in the country.
“The parks are available to use for a variety of activities and responsible owners who clean up after their pets are most welcome to use these open spaces for dog walking."
Dog Control Orders came into force on April 7 in Newark and Sherwood. A full list of the orders is available on the council’s website.
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