Proposed new laws tighten leash on dogs in town park

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 29^th May 2012

Tue 29^th May 2012

Following a number of complaints regarding out of control dogs in the town park, Cheshire East Council is proposing to introduce some dog control orders for The Carrs.

The public are now being consulted on plans to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog, without reasonable excuse, to fail to pick up after the dog and for one person to be in charge of more than four dogs in The Carrs.

It is also being proposed that it will be an offence for dogs not to be kept on leads in the area of the park located adjacent to Chancel Lane and north of the River Bollin, which includes both the playing fields and children's play area.

It would also be an offence for a dog owner not to put and keep a dog on a lead when told to do so by an authorised officer of the Council. This area would cover the whole of the park, with the exception of the area covered by the Dogs on Leads order.

Cheshire East Council are proposing that anyone in breach of these orders would be issued a fixed penalty notice for £75.

The public are being consulted for a period of 28 days which will end on June 21st 2012.

If objections are received in relation to any of these proposed ordered these will be referred to Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member for environmental services, for consideration at a future meeting.

Copies of the draft orders and maps showing the areas to which the proposed orders relate are available on the Cheshire East Council website. They can also be inspected at the Council's Westfield offices in Sandbach or at Macclesfield Town Hall.

Any representations relating to the proposed Orders should be made in writing or by e-mail. Representations should be sent, marked for the attention of Mrs Khan, to Legal Services, Cheshire East Borough Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1HZ or sent by email to Kate Khan entitled "Dog Control Orders – The Carrs " by no later than 21st June 2012.

What do you think dogs about the proposed new laws for dogs in The Carrs? Please share your thoughts via the comment box below.

Tags:: Cheshire East Council, The Carrs

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Carole Connor

Tuesday 29^th May 2012 at 9:11 pm

All these rules and regulations are fine if they can be upheld. If "authorised officers of the council" are to be employed to issue fixed penalties then perhaps part of their job description could include opening the toilets at Twinnies Bridge during the weekend. There appears no funding available to do this, as they remain securely padlocked.

John Bowden

Tuesday 29^th May 2012 at 11:25 pm

As a dog owner and regular user of the Carrs I'm all for the new regulations. Owners should be held accountable for not clearing up after their dogs.... after all they give other dog owners a bad reputation! Dogs to be kept on leads close to the play areas is fine - much better than the proposed full ban.

Chris Hall

Tuesday 5^th June 2012 at 8:52 am

As a responsible dog owner I think the proposals are fine - bring back the park warden so we can control the irresponsible humans who dump litter in the river .... pile rubbish high around the bins ....... and light fires in the cars in the summer.