Dogs face ban from parks after attacks on children and wildlife

Taking the lead: Wandsworth has proposed banning dogs from some open spaces, such as Battersea Park, above, and imposing greater controls on dog-walkers on the roads
Katharine Barney12 April 2012

Dogs could be banned from some London parks to prevent them attacking people and wildlife.

Wandsworth council chiefs have unveiled plans to introduce the ban after complaints from park users that they have been injured and disturbed by dogs not under control.

The move comes two weeks after three children were attacked in York Gardens in Battersea by a bull terrier breed that had been let off its lead. All the children suffered bitemarks and the mother of one who tried to intervene needed surgery on her hand.

The council now wants to bar dogs from some parks and playgrounds. Owners would also be forced to keep dogs on a lead on any path or road in the borough. People would be banned from exercising more than four dogs at a time on the streets.

The scheme would be enforced by council officers and anyone caught flouting it could be liable for an £80 fine or a maximum of £1,000 in court.

The ban would affect more than 50 open spaces including some cemeteries and playgrounds. Parts of Battersea Park and Tooting Bec Common would be affected while it would apply to the whole of Garratt Green in Earlsfield, King George's Park in Southfields and York Gardens in Clapham.

The council's environment spokesman Malcolm Grimston said: "What is beyond doubt is the increasing public concern about the irresponsible behaviour of some dog owners. People and other dogs have been attacked and injured by dogs that have been allowed to run wild."

But a spokeswoman for charity People And Dogs Society said she did not think the measures were the answer.

Chairwoman of the society Debbie Waller said: "It's the first I've ever heard of dogs being banned from parks. I think the owner's behaviour should be targeted rather than a blanket ban which only serves to penalise responsible dog owners."

Last month a dog owner who let his Staffordshire bull terrier jump up and bite tree branches to strengthen its jaw was punished.

Paulo Poeire, 27, of Neasden, was fined £60 at South Western magistrates' court after being spotted by parks police in Battersea Park.

A consultation on the new rules runs until 8 May.

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