London
Borough of Richmond upon Thames has started a consultation to have dogs banned
on the Petersham Meadows. Visit the council website for full detail,
Council
Press Release
Dogs
could be banned on Petersham Meadows, should there be no objections to a public
consultation, it was agreed at last night’s Regulatory Committee.
Following
an incident with a dog last year, it was agreed by residents, the National
Trust and the Council that one of the improved safety measures would be that
dogs would be banned from accessing the Meadows between April and November when
the cows are grazing. To enable this to happen the Council must implement a Dog
Exclusion Order. Although the National Trust manages the land through a lease
arrangement, the Council, as the freeholder has the power to implement
exclusion.
At
the meeting last night Members agreed that whilst fencing is erected around the
area to protect the cows from any dogs, a number of walkers are still
unleashing their canines whilst out walking and they still have the potential
to get into the area. In order to protect cattle from a further attack, the
Committee agreed to take statutory action to ban dogs totally from the area.
Those with a registered disability and use a dog for support e.g. guide dogs,
are exempt from the ban.
The
proposals will be now out for a 28 day official public consultation period.
Following a review of all representations, the Council will decide whether or
not to proceed.
Cllr
Virginia Morris, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“The
health and safety of both meadow users, dogs and the cows is of paramount
importance. This decision from the Regulatory Committee supports our work to
protect the wellbeing of all those in the area. Dog owners are important users
of our parks and Richmond Council promotes and encourages responsible dog
ownership. Most owners are conscientious; however, a small minority are not and
this spoils the enjoyment of our open spaces and parks for others. We feel that
the banning of dogs totally from the Meadow, during the cattle grazing season
is the best option to encourage safety.”
Hungry calf November 2012
Cows and people currently share other National Trust land
in both the London and the Southeast Region http://www.winchelsea.net/images/cattle.pdf
and White Park Bay in Northern Ireland http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-park-bay/our-work/
Electric fences are not considered necessary in either of these other location
and the former National Trust Regional Director for Northern Ireland is now Regional
Director for London and the Southeast.
