Councillor calls for more dog enforcement in Redcar parks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 04:20 · Archive

A councillor in Redcar has called for increased enforcement of park rules requiring dogs to be kept on leads after a man was hospitalised following a dog bite.

Councillor Alison Barnes has called for increased enforcement of dog control rules in Redcar and Cleveland's parks after raising concerns about loose dogs. Dogs are required to be on leads at all times in the borough's parks under a public spaces protection order. The rule can be enforced with fines against owners who breach it.

Cllr Barnes highlighted a previous incident in Zetland Park, her local park, in which a man required hospital treatment after being bitten in the leg by a dog. She said there had been several recent incidents where free roaming dogs with their owners present had bitten other dogs and a member of the public. She called for the local authority to recruit additional enforcement officers, even on a temporary basis over summer when parks were busiest and anti-social behaviour was likely to increase.

Councillor Neil Bendelow, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said the council had only a small enforcement team and could not provide a dedicated resource to a particular park, although patrols were carried out. He urged councillors and residents to report incidents to the council so the community enforcement team could carry out increased patrols at different times and both educate and enforce the restrictions. He acknowledged that more enforcement work could be done but said 'everything is resource driven'.

How it is being reported

• Dog bite attack in Redcar park sparks councillor concern over 'free roaming' petsAlison Barnes said a requirement for dogs to be on leads was ignored by many owners and increased council enforcement was neededTeessideLive · 3 Nov, 00:01
• Dog bite attack in park highlighted amid concerns over 'free roaming' petsCouncillor Alison Barnes highlighted a previous incident in Zetland Park, Redcar, in which a man required hospital treatment after being bitten by a dog.Darlington & Stockton Times · 2 Nov, 16:01

In this story: Alison Barnes · Neil Bendelow · Zetland Park · Redcar · Redcar and Cleveland

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