Dog Owners In Fear After Attacks On Pets
By Jo Deeks on Friday, 19th May 2006.
Pensioners and other dog owners are too frigntened to take their dogs on to Haverhill's recreation ground after several of them have been viciously attacked by other dogs left to run lose.
Dianne Taylor, 72, says she has been trying to get something done about the problem for almost a year, organising a petition among dog owners after her half-Chihuahua, Bic, was attacked. She received 22 signatures from dog owners and 10 of them had also had pets attacked.
Mrs Taylor of Vine Cottages, Haverhill said she had hoped new laws which came in this year would mean more restrictions on dangerous dogs, but was amazed to be told that no-one else but her had complained. Now she wants St Edmundsbury Bourough Council to take account of the people who signed her petition and take some action.
"My dog has been attacked twice and one woman had a Jack Russell, which had its throat ripped open. If you say anything you get a load of abuse and they are not going to give you their name so you can report them to the council," she said.
"A lot of older people are too frightened to walk their dogs there now, which I think is wrong. I was told I would be contacted by the dog warden, but I never have been and none of us have seen one on the Rec.
"I reported my dog being attacked to the police and so have several other people."
"When I go to Bury or Saffron Walden, dogs have to be on leads in the parks, so why should Haverhill be different? This is not just a solo campaign, it is to gain freedom for all dogs to enjoy a stroll on the recreation ground and for all dog owners to realise they have to be responsible for their dogs behaviour."
A council spokesman said: "We've been given the power to make orders, such as instructing dog owners to keep their pets on leads, through the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act. We are trying to find out how serious the problem at the recreation ground is before deciding whether it would be appropriate to make such an order."
Dianne Taylor, 72, says she has been trying to get something done about the problem for almost a year, organising a petition among dog owners after her half-Chihuahua, Bic, was attacked. She received 22 signatures from dog owners and 10 of them had also had pets attacked.
Mrs Taylor of Vine Cottages, Haverhill said she had hoped new laws which came in this year would mean more restrictions on dangerous dogs, but was amazed to be told that no-one else but her had complained. Now she wants St Edmundsbury Bourough Council to take account of the people who signed her petition and take some action.
"My dog has been attacked twice and one woman had a Jack Russell, which had its throat ripped open. If you say anything you get a load of abuse and they are not going to give you their name so you can report them to the council," she said.
"A lot of older people are too frightened to walk their dogs there now, which I think is wrong. I was told I would be contacted by the dog warden, but I never have been and none of us have seen one on the Rec.
"I reported my dog being attacked to the police and so have several other people."
"When I go to Bury or Saffron Walden, dogs have to be on leads in the parks, so why should Haverhill be different? This is not just a solo campaign, it is to gain freedom for all dogs to enjoy a stroll on the recreation ground and for all dog owners to realise they have to be responsible for their dogs behaviour."
A council spokesman said: "We've been given the power to make orders, such as instructing dog owners to keep their pets on leads, through the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act. We are trying to find out how serious the problem at the recreation ground is before deciding whether it would be appropriate to make such an order."
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