Groups should work together for the benefit of canines

Dec 29 2011 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

A CAMPAIGNER for canine rights is asking for dog control orders to be incorporated into a county-wide push for Green Flag park status.

Conwy County Council recently closed consultation on draft dog control orders that could restrict areas pets can run free.

Elaine Bowley, who runs dog training school Perfect K94U, said: “To achieve Green Flag status the guide states that investment in good dog schemes would be of benefit to any particular area.

“This way, we should be able to work together to find a satisfactory solution for all involved. I have put ideas for a scheme to Abergele Council and Darren Millar, Assembly Member for Clwyd West, who has offered his support.”

Pentre Mawr Park in Abergele was recently awarded the status, and will also be one of the areas affected by the proposals.

She added: “The dog schemes would be free of charge and available within the park showing owners how to achieve a good recall and obedience.

“I agree with the plans in principle but there should be a way that suits everyone’s needs.”

She also recommended that an area of the park currently used as a sports pitch should be turned over for the use of dogs. She claims over ten sports fields in the town is not a complete representation of public needs.

Earlier this year, proposals were put forward by the council in an effort to provide a safer and cleaner environment.

The first round of consultation attracted significant interest and over 300 representations were received.

The council considered all the opinions submitted and made a number of amendments to the original proposals. Consultation on these closed on November 10.

Nick Jones, planning and environmental enforcement manager, said: “The introduction of the control orders has been challenging, and rightly so.”

At the end of phase two of the consultation, the council proposes to introduce four dog control orders incorporating amendments. These are titled: Dog Fouling, Dogs on Leads, Dogs on Leads by Direction and Dog Exclusion Zones.