London Dog Owners Beware - Camden Could Be A Dog-Free Zone

Being a pooch around town, I tend to go wherever the Mistress does unless dogs are off limits. One of the Mistress's godchildren lives in the London Borough of Camden and so I have been known to pop in to say hello. Camden is also home to....Hampstead Heath and I have been there lots of times.

But such visits may, in future, become nigh on impossible. Apparently, Camden Council wants to introduce a Dog Control Order (see Camden New Journal's website - http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/022207/news022207_04.html- for all the details), "which would leave Camden’s 22,000 dog-lovers liable for heavy fines if they let dogs run free, walk them in ‘dog exclusion zones’, walk more than four at a time or fail to clear up their excrement."

Well, no responsible dog owner is going to quibble over the dog mess and dog-walkers' limit but what are 'dog exclusion zones'?

The council’s consultation document states: “Anyone who commits an offence under any of the provisions of the Dog Control Order may be liable on conviction in the magistrates court to a fine of up to £1,000. The council also intends to issue £80 Fixed Penalty Notices for Dog Control offences and anyone who fails to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice may be prosecuted.”

The council launched a consultation last week that will last until March 15, when the decision on whether or not to introduce the order will be taken. I don't know what to make of this but I wonder just how many dog owners realise that this could make a HUGE difference to their lives, particularly if they use the Heath.

Surely this is well-intended (tacking irresponsbile owners) but very badly executed? After all, if cottaging is allowed on the Heath, I think dogs should be allowed to enjoy the fresh air too!

Woof Woof

Comments

[Loui]

Don't ya love Camden..NOT! Mum goes mad as she not only lived in Camden for all her life but worked for Camden too for a fair chunck of her life too so knows what pea brained ideas they come up with! I am so pleased she don't live there now as Hampstead and Regents Park would be off my agenda and I really love going there!

Loui xx

[rags]

I hardly think the practices of homosexuals can be equated with the intimidation and mess that dogs that are controlled irresponsibly can cause!

[john langan]

i cant believe that this is anything less than a dog haters attack on responsible owners, and an attempt to criminalise responsible members of society. What on earth are the council doing about he blatent dealing on the streets in all parts of the borough- nothing and this measure would be enforced by the street wardens.
They also say that this would be classed as "environmental crime", what about starving people in darfur, logging in the amazon, and dolphins caught on tuna lines.
What would be done with the £80 fines, perhaps enlarged dog excercise areas. I think not! This is an excercise in blatent power madness, and I would urge every dog owner in Camden to visit their counciller, and complain. I would also suggest that you press your elected to give the name of the counciller who sponsored or suggested this by law and contact him directly and comp[lain. This is public domain and should be given to you. What a bunch of tossers.