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2:56pm Monday 22nd September 2008 in News

James Pudney, 17, with Gemma, three James Pudney, 17, with Gemma, three

DOG walkers could be banned from children’s play areas, beaches and sports pitches under tough new measures being considered by Southend Council.

If approved, new dog exclusion zones would be set up and people could face fines of £50 if they break the council’s rules.

The dog control orders also prohibit walking more than four dogs at a time and will ban the animals from the parks in Warrior Square and Cluny Square.

Not keeping dogs on a lead on a pavement or road when asked to by a council officer is another punishable offence.

The plans, which would come into force on January 1, 2009, have been recommended for approval by Southend Council officers and cabinet councillors will vote at a meeting tomorrow.

Dog owner James Pudney, 17, of Leighcliff Road, Leigh, said: “I think the new measures are pretty ridiculous. If you have an aggressive dog then you shouldn’t let it off the lead anyway.”

Ian Robertson, councillor responsible for the environment, said the measures were not heavy-handed and those who flout the law would not face immediate fines.

He said: “I think it will be very successful. It’s not about being draconian. It’s just making the town a more pleasant place to live.

“Ninety-nine per cent of people want to comply, but you always get the one per cent who play silly buggers.

“The exclusion areas are those areas we consulted the residents on and that’s where we will start the scheme.

“There’s a possibility if it’s a success, it might be extended. But we aren’t rushing into this and will be entirely co-operating with residents.”

Mr Robertson said: “Nine times out of ten people just don’t realise they’re doing something wrong and they won’t do it again.”

The plans were drawn up following extensive consultation with the public and 70 per cent of the 784 respondents supported the dog exclusion zones.

Comments(34)

briasy1 says...
3:44pm Mon 22 Sep 08

southend council have been trying to control dogs and their owners for years without success but until the dog owners learn some respect for others we will all continue to walk with our heads down in attempt to avoid their filthy mess

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VictoriaLS says...
4:04pm Mon 22 Sep 08

What a good idea! My 4 year old is petrified of dogs due to a bad experience when one got in to our garden! It will be great that he doesn't have to come up to me cowering everytime a loose dog approaches!!

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betty swallox says...
4:35pm Mon 22 Sep 08

I don't own a dog but live close to an area where many dogs are walked. The majority of owners act responsibly and use the bins provided. I think its unfair on the animals for them not to be able to have a run.

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Tone-Fu says...
4:37pm Mon 22 Sep 08

This is a ridiculous suggestion that will only penalise decent dog owners.

The people who let their dogs behave badly will continue to do so regardless of any Council ploy.

Bring back dog licencing and make owners take a breed specific exam before one is granted!

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Hilary1 says...
4:48pm Mon 22 Sep 08

Most dog owners are very careful to clear up after their dogs and are aware that some people are afraid of dogs
To speak bluntly, my dog, like most others will go to the loo several times on one walk. If one owner walks the same walk every day and does not clear up then after one week there would be 20+ poops along a route, which people will mistakenly blame on many owners instead of just one. some countries such as Switzerland have poop bags around their towns to encourage owners to clear up. Would this help?

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Curbishly says...
5:14pm Mon 22 Sep 08

The real problem isn't dogs or their owners it's people like Victoria. People who are frightened of dogs, never had one as a pet and who pass on their fear to their children. And then invent stories to put on here.

There is a concerted effort by those known as the "Anti-dog Brigade" in Southend. They seek to restrict and deny facilities to dog owners and their pets, they lie and spread untruths, use ignorance and fear and pander to those council officials of a similar mindset.

Invariably these people are cat or bunny owners.

To those dog owners please find out which councillors intend to vote for these measures and remember this when the elections come around.

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merciless says...
5:48pm Mon 22 Sep 08

Have southend council nothing better to do, I am sure there are more pressing issues to deal with in this borough - like dealing with durggies & the homeless of the town

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polky says...
6:00pm Mon 22 Sep 08

about time although after a month or so it will be forgotten. who will police it. what about all the local football teams that play on local pitches they pay untold fees to the council and because of lazy dog owners these pitches are unplayable untill someone clears it up... some parent or voulenteer that doesn't even have a dog usually

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dogsrus says...
7:35pm Mon 22 Sep 08

We have six dogs never walked altogether but possibly 4 at most, we always clean up after them, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for owners of others as we are always having mess left outside our own home, why should we suffer for other people our dogs are always under control on eads, often being chased by dogs owned by unresponsible owners who can trust there dogs and allow them to run loose, how can they clean up after them whenthey have not got a clue where they have been, but are quick to critise, because we are cruel having our dogs on expanding leads. These people will still continue to take there dogs in parks etc. because they are above the law, it is the reponsible owners that will suffer once again, why cant the fines be implemented for fouling our streets.

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evilc says...
8:43pm Mon 22 Sep 08

Excellent news yet again a few irresponsible dog owners have spoilt it for the responsible.

This is the reason for this country having far more laws than most other countries in the world Why? because we are a country that breeds more and more crap people that have No self discipline of consideration for others unlike most countries.

We have bred greedy,lazy lawless people that deserve all they get and they will try to blame everyone else other than themselves.

People now days have not one dog BUT 4 all totally out of control making places made for humans like parks dangerous no go areas with dogs fighting and areas covered in crap!!!

Yesterday I sat on the beach at Thorpe Bay and counted 3 separate irresponsible looking men aged 50+ over a period of 30 mins obviously locals walk down steps onto the beach and lets their dogs off the lead's the dogs promptly had a crap close to young children the the owners walked off.

Sorry but the Council MUST protect human being not bloody dogs!!!

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kakagirl says...
9:17pm Mon 22 Sep 08

I have a 2 yr old and I am sick of trying to help him dodge the dog mess in Southend parks and open spaces, let alone on the pavements.Not only is it disgusting but there is a real risk of disease. I agree it is only some dog-owners who are so irresponsible but please - at least let our little ones run free in the parks and on the beaches - where dogs are not allowed much of the year anyway

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Imogen says...
9:40pm Mon 22 Sep 08

I have five dogs, all are trained and never off the lead. I would find it more embarrassing to leave my dog poo than to pick it up and it annoys me that other owners get away with doing just that. It's also about time the Council made it compulsory for dogs to be kept on leads when in a public place and not allowed to be walked by kids. So often dogs come charging up to mine while the owner screams for it to come back, all to no avail, quite obviously not trained, neither are the owners.Childrens play area's should definately be out of bounds for dogs and always should have been.Dog owners should be named and shamed for not picking up after their animals but when the Council tried this some years ago there was a public outcry, Why? My 11 year old Yorkie was killed in a Shoebury street some years ago, I never knew where the dog came from, terrible, terible thing that I will never forget. Southend Council must get tough on the fools who know nothing about responsible dog ownership and prosecute every time.

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David Fish says...
9:51pm Mon 22 Sep 08

What going on everyone's having a go at mans best friend.



Police apologise over offensive puppy ad. Metro Tuesday, July 1, 2008



A police force has apologised to the Muslim community after its ad campaign featuring a puppy sparked an outcry.

A picture of Rebel, a 29-week-old black Alsatian, featured on postcards promoting a new non-emergency telephone number.

But the choice of the image, which shows Rebel sitting in a police officer's hat, was questioned as Islamic tradition warns Muslims against contact with dogs because they are seen as impure.

Councillor Mohammed Asif told a meeting of Tayside Joint Police Board 'My concern was that it's not welcomed by all communities so some Dundee shopkeepers have refused to put the postcards up in their windows.




Sniffer dogs to wear "Muslim" bootees. From The Sunday Times July 6, 2008.



Police sniffer dogs will have to wear bootees when searching the homes of Muslims so as not to cause offence.

Guidelines being drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) urge awareness of religious sensitivities when using dogs to search for drugs and explosives. The guidelines, to be published this year, were designed to cover mosques but have been extended to include other buildings.

Where Muslims object, officers will be obliged to use sniffer dogs only in exceptional cases. Where dogs are used, they will have to wear bootees with rubber soles. “We are trying to ensure that police forces are aware of sensitivities that people can have with the dogs to make sure they are not going against any religious or cultural element within people’s homes.



broken britain Take a look and see what's really going on around the towns.

http://thurrockpatri
ots.blogspot.com/

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lyndylou26 says...
9:59pm Mon 22 Sep 08

the council should employ more park wardens to patrol the parks and give them the power to fine "on the spot" irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs foul the playing fields and pavements. On a daily basis when i walk my dog i often see piles of poo and have on occasion challenged the ignorant dog owner who has or never will have any intention to pick up their dogs' poo! The same is to be said for the ignorant dog owner who should muzzle or keep their dog on a lead if they are in any doubt unable to control their dog. Once again for us responsible and caring owners who enjoy nothing more than seeing their dogs running free to chase a ball, whether it be in a park or on a beach we have to suffer the consequences caused by a minority. Try spending some money on imposing heavy fines to irresponsible dog owners who do not not have a clue!!!

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Imogen says...
10:00pm Mon 22 Sep 08

I'm not having a go at mans best friend, I love 'em! I'm having a go at owner's for making people hate an animal through no fault of its own and our lilly livered Council for not taking appropriate action when needed.

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Curbishly says...
10:16pm Mon 22 Sep 08

VictoriaLS
"Dogs stink - just like their owners".

Looks like you just proved my point.

A Husky? Yeah right! Common as muck those dogs, see them everywhere, trip over them in the street.

Perhaps you should have started your little story off with the words "Once upon a time".

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Imogen says...
10:33pm Mon 22 Sep 08

Have to agree with Curbishly on that point!
Why didn't you fix the fence yourself? I know I would have done for the sake of my children. As for your comment, education is a wonderful thing, perhaps you should try it one day, then you may realise what that remark says about you.

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VictoriaLS says...
10:45pm Mon 22 Sep 08

Re-read - I said a Husky looking type of dog!! I'm not even going to argue this with you - you know nothing about the situation. As for the other comment - my husband put that - i wasn't amused with him as i knew it would cause outrage on here - so apologies for that.

I am really not anti-dogs - but I do think that owners keeping them on a lead whilst in public is a good idea - that's all I wanted to say - not be accused of making up stories - I swear 100% that what i wrote is true and if my little boy wasn't worried of dogs then this wouldn't affect me. Unfortunately it does.

Not even going to go in to the fence panel saga - would be here all night ranting about my neighbour - but my boy was only 2 when this happened and was never left unaccompanied in my back garden - so it wasn't a major problem - until the dog got in that was!!!

Anyway - not going to say anymore on this - it's turning in to quite a debate!

.......and we all lived happily ever after!!!!!!!!!

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lincoln says...
10:54pm Mon 22 Sep 08

the council need to enforce existing laws before the think of new laws, i.e many times I am walking my dog along the pavement only to be nearly knocked down by people riding there bikes on the pavement come on keep these bikes of the pavement

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VictoriaLS says...
11:10pm Mon 22 Sep 08

LOL - Imogen - you're probably right there!!!! Who needs men eh!!!

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Derrick Oatham says...
1:22am Tue 23 Sep 08

I think it is most unfair to responsible dog owners not to let them walk their dogs in the town where they pay as much in taxes as everyone else, although some areas should be dog free such as children's playgrounds and the like, but parks should be there for everyone including dog owners.
I have several dogs & I clean up after them all, I am also one of the lucky ones that has transport and can take them out into the country for walks, as I quite often do, but think of the elderly who's only companion is their dog, are they to be banned from walking their only companion for the sake of a few mindless idiots, lets face it, thats all they are. Please don't let these idiots spoil it for the responsible dog owners.
Not all dogs are rowdy, mine are so laid back they fall over, but I still insist that people ask me if they say hello to & stroke the dog, although there is never a problem as they love being made a fuss of.
We live in an age where there are cameras everywhere, so why not spot the dog owner who lets their dog poop and not clear it up, and issue fines, getting steeper every time they are caught.
As far as dog licenses, I agree that everyone should have a license to own a dog, just a modest charge to cover expenses, it may well protect the dogs as well as others, with the license being revoked should the owner not be responsible and also a hefty fine if you are caught having a dog without the said license.
I would also like to know where the council got their 70% poll in wanting the streets to be dog free, I certainly was not approached & I don't of anyone who was.
Maybe the Echo should have a poll & let the tax payers of the borough vote on whether dogs should be banned.
I think I know what the result would be.

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jolly Roger the Pirate says...
6:45am Tue 23 Sep 08

You should try and pick your way along Canvey sea wall.Beautifull walk shame the residents have no pride.

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SARFENDMAN says...
7:34am Tue 23 Sep 08

It's all very well or not to bring in new restictions but who's going to enforce? Who's coughing up the lolly for extra staff to carry this out? Are we going to see traffic wardens extending their powers by taking a photo of the offending animal and placing a ticket on it's back or would they simply clamp the poor mut.

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Victor_Mildew says...
3:13pm Tue 23 Sep 08

WAKE UP CANVEY ISLAND IF little Towns in ITALY & ISRAEL CAN DO IT WHY NOT CANVEY COUNCEL A town in northern Italy plans to create a DNA database of all registered dogs and then test droppings left on pavements and in parks to identify the culprit and fine owners who fail to clean up after their pets, La Stampa daily reported Tuesday."If signs and invitations aren't enough, we'll try genetics. I want a clean city," Antonio Prencipe, councilor in charge of the environment in Vercelli, a town of some 45,000 inhabitants near Turin, told the paper.DNA tests would cost around 13 euros ($19), which would be more than covered by fines, La Stampa said. It did not estimate the cost of creating a database.The Israeli town of Petah Tikva launched a similar six-month trial program earlier this month, under which dog owners were asked to take their animals to a municipal veterinarian, who then swabs its mouth

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sally484 says...
5:05pm Tue 23 Sep 08

I was very upset to see the article in last night's Echo. The council refer to a survey. I've asked everyone at work and no-one had heard about this survey! I walk my two dogs at various Shoebury locations and no-one has enquired as to my opinion on this subject. Obviously, most respondents will be those who have a dislike of dogs.

I am a responsible dog owner, as are most others I meet. My dogs love to go on the beach - one loves to swim - but we don't allow them to do so until the winter months when the ban has been lifted. Most dog owners I have spoken to recently are so looking forward to the winter so that the dogs can swim.

I appreciate that dogs should not be permitted in certain areas - childrens playgrounds, formal gardens, etc. But aren't we a nation of dog lovers?

I think this proposal is a disgrace.

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Winston Smith says...
7:06pm Tue 23 Sep 08

I would rather see my council tax spent stopping hoodies, yobs, junkies and alcoholics from vandalising our parks and leaving their mess behind.

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spiritgirl says...
8:30pm Wed 24 Sep 08

Regretably,not a week seems to go by without a report of stray or nuisance dogs causing fouling or injury to some innocent person or other animal.
While walking one of my dogs in Magnolia park last Friday, I too became a victim to an attack ,that was entirely unprovoked by an animal that was out unsupervised.My dog was on an extendable lead at the time when a light brown dog that looked like a cross between a staffordshire bull terrier ,a labrador and kujo came tearing out of the bushes and proceeded to jump on my dogs back and bite his neck.When I tried to rescue my dog, it turned on me and bit my arm.I managed to get away with two puncture wounds and as my dog is fairly large and has a thick coat he was luckily ok.However if I had been out with my smaller dog things may have been very different.
I am not demonizing any particular breed ,as I own a samoyed and a stafffordshire bull terrier.Both dogs are sweet natured and very placid and are always supervised and under my control.
Dog ownership is a great responsibility and those who cannot be bothered to make the effort to look after their pets properly,ie,pick up their mess,exercise them responsibly and safely and treat them with kindness and respect should be banned from keeping them.
I completely understand the council are probably at their wits end and are only trying to make the area safer for everyone.I agree that you should not walk more than four dogs at once.I dont even try to walk two together and would rather go out twice separately.This is a control issue.I also understand that there needs to be dog free areas for young children and their families to play.This is essential as is the provision of areas for dog walkers.We all need to live together and we all pay our council tax so lets try to reach a sensible compromise.Bring the rogue dog owners to book for their neglect and ensure they can't just go out and get another dog.The courts need to start acting.Fine these people for not picking up their mess and Perhaps if there was a requirement for a dog licence it would preclude people from getting dogs on impulse.

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fedupwithsteppinginyourdog'smess says...
8:43pm Wed 24 Sep 08

NO DOGS HERE FLIPPING RIGHT!!!! I think dogs should be banned from all public places! They are dangerous and allowed to do their mess anywhere they like and I am sick to death of it! The mess they leave on the parks and pavements that my children walk along is just appalling. The inconsiderate lifeforms that wait till no-one's looking to let their beasts foul our public spaces are worse than dogs! They should be charged with criminal damage!

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Tone-Fu says...
7:05pm Thu 25 Sep 08

What a sad, boring little life you must lead.

Why penalise decent dog owners because of the minorities? Do we ban all black kids from shops because one steals? No.

Grow up.

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fedupwithsteppinginyourdog'smess says...
8:06am Mon 29 Sep 08

Tone-Fu. Whilst you may think my life is sad, little and boring, I am glad that I don't need to use completely irrelevant and obviously emotive issues such as racism to make my point. If you REALLY cared about the health and safety of your fellow humans then you would be "grown up" enough to agree with me and you would be more than happy to voluntarily accept this refusal of all dogs from public places...?

Maybe all dog owners should be forced to register their animals? they should be required to have a license and pay for it! And this might stop people keeping dogs to use a weapons too.

I feel that if people were to try a bit harder at living alongside their (human) neighbours, they might not feel the need to get dogs to make up for all the human relationships they are trying to replace with Fido?

Have a think about it Tone.

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petlover says...
9:35pm Mon 29 Sep 08

I live in Shoebury and was in no way consulted by the Council about my views re dogs in public places.

I have always had pets and one of those is a dog. It's completely unrealistic to expect dogs to only walk on leads; they need to have time free-running, this keeps them fit and gets rid of their natural energy; in the wild, wolves walk for miles and miles and our domestic dogs need to exercise a lot, too. Dogs are not automatums who exist in a vacuum without contact with other sentient beings. They will go up to other dogs and perhaps some people whether they're on the lead or off, this is normal and natural.

As a society, we have become completely estranged from nature and we forget that we have evolved from animals - our natural state is to live in harmony with nature. Southend and Shoebury are gradually losing all their green spaces and this is bad for our mental health and it seems that our tolerance and understanding of animnals and each other is also being eroded.

I strongly object to Southend Council's proposals and the fact that no-one that I know has been consulted and I will be taking this further.

I completely appreciate that some people are scared of dogs, but screaming, running and passing this fear onto our children is just plain daft. By all means, bring back the dog license and this may go some way to preventing the horrific abuse of some poor animals. But a neurotic response from an intolerant public and, in my view, a reactionary council is unhealthy for us a population.

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Tone-Fu says...
6:47am Tue 30 Sep 08

petlover wrote:
I live in Shoebury and was in no way consulted by the Council about my views re dogs in public places.

I have always had pets and one of those is a dog. It's completely unrealistic to expect dogs to only walk on leads; they need to have time free-running, this keeps them fit and gets rid of their natural energy; in the wild, wolves walk for miles and miles and our domestic dogs need to exercise a lot, too. Dogs are not automatums who exist in a vacuum without contact with other sentient beings. They will go up to other dogs and perhaps some people whether they're on the lead or off, this is normal and natural.

As a society, we have become completely estranged from nature and we forget that we have evolved from animals - our natural state is to live in harmony with nature. Southend and Shoebury are gradually losing all their green spaces and this is bad for our mental health and it seems that our tolerance and understanding of animnals and each other is also being eroded.

I strongly object to Southend Council's proposals and the fact that no-one that I know has been consulted and I will be taking this further.

I completely appreciate that some people are scared of dogs, but screaming, running and passing this fear onto our children is just plain daft. By all means, bring back the dog license and this may go some way to preventing the horrific abuse of some poor animals. But a neurotic response from an intolerant public and, in my view, a reactionary council is unhealthy for us a population.
Hear hear!

At last a sensible post on this wretched thread.

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fedupwithsteppinginyourdog'smess says...
11:12pm Tue 30 Sep 08

Is that the best answer you can make Tone-fu? hear hear? or are your comments wretched on this sensible thread? if you can't provide a shark with the space to swim, don't buy one. If you don't have a firing range, don't buy a gun. If you don't have a large enough space for your offensive, dangerous and frankly putrid animals, don't own them. As you have said, they are ANIMALS. Yes ANIMALS, They should not be domesticated. Maybe you are suggesting I should just go and buy a ferocious cat, like a lion, and let it mess all over your street and attack your children? The day of the dog is OVER!

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fedupwithsteppinginyourdog'smess says...
11:22pm Tue 30 Sep 08

I will enforce this! I would be more than glad to! maybe I should invent a dog-clamp! Whenever a dog poops and the owner doesn't clear it up, it gets clamped and it stays there till the owner pays up! FANTASTIC!

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