THIS is NUTS! - Please sign the petition if you think dogs should not be kept on leads in RBKC. I was alerted to this by a fellow dog owner & think it should be passed on, so please sign and pass on. Hello! Ive started the petition RBKC, Hammersmith & Fulham Councillors: 1. Give Dog Owners a formal Voice in Parks Master-Plan Consultations 2. Preserve existing places and create additional training places where dogs can socialise off-leash and need your help to get it off the ground. Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Heres the link: change.org/en-GB/petitions/rbkc-hammersmith-fulham-councillors-1-give-dog-owners-a-formal-voice-in-parks-master-plan-consultations-2-preserve-existing-places-and-create-additional-training-places-where-dogs-can-socialise-off-leash Heres why its important: The Councillors of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) and Hammersmith & Fulham, have recently approved an amendment to the Dog Control Order that: a. dogs must be kept on leads on: Any land within the administrative area of RBKC which is open to the air, including covered land which is open to the air on at least one side and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment b. All public roads, adjoining footways and verges Public consultation will commence shortly and if passed, will leave no doubt that dogs must be kept on leads anywhere in the open air at any time. In March 2013, RBKC dog-owning and other residents wrote to object against the enormous Opera Holland Park Theatre Marquee from becoming a “permanent” structure. This site is very valuable commercially, and there is already a commercial million-pound development at the bottom of the park. The objection resulted in the time the marquee being erected, reduced from 12 months to 6.5. Until recently dogs were allowed to play and socialise on Holland House Terrace. In December 2013, a unilateral decision was made by Inspector Rumble of the Parks Police to place “Dogs on Leads” on Holland House Terrace without consultation. The excuse of “dog fouling” was given. Dog fouling is categorically NOT a problem in that area. Now a new reason has been given of “complaints by other park users who have objected to loose dogs coming up to them when they are taking their lunch”. This has not been witnessed by the regular daily users of that area, and in fact people on benches happily interact with the dogs, especially young children. How soon before samples of dog poo are photo-shopped as “evidence”? We dog owners are extremely concerned by these recent dog-unfriendly overtures approved by the current councillors and enacted by the Parks Police, without consultation. If there is dog fouling it is a tiny anti-social minority, whose dogs are known by the larger Dog owning community. One badly behaved dog because of an irresponsible owner or dog walker, should not catalyse draconian dog rules for all dogs, without at least a democratic consultation with dog owners. There is much scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of owning a dog; dog-owners appreciate the unconditional love given by a dog and reciprocate in kind. For urban dogs, it is essential that they have some safe areas in parks where they can run free, to socialise from young, and be trained. Where else can they do this when open woodland or forest is not on many Londoner’s doorsteps? It is in everybody’s interests to have well-behaved, well-socialised dogs, therefore every park should provide a substantial protected area where dogs can run freely, and a separate smaller area for dog training off-leash. Dog owners are an active part of the community, we are the highest, most frequent consistent users of the park – we take our charges to the parks 3 to 4 times a day. We are the eyes of the park, and should be appreciated by the Parks Police as such. A resident highlights to Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP and the Councillors: These sorts of restrictions might be expected in other countries where anything that smacks of untidiness or indiscipline cannot be tolerated. However, in this country we have long had a tradition of tolerance where the liberties of the individual take priority over the desire of tidy minds to control our actions. Obviously that puts an obligation on the individual to respect the liberties of others but it is a form of give and take that we have successfully made work for hundreds of years. I have walked dogs in Holland Park for many years and have always noted how well the vast majority of dogs are controlled whilst still being allowed the freedom to run and play. Dog faeces are not a problem because almost all owners are responsible and have consideration for others. Claire Rai, Head of Community Safety, states that the Parks Police have received a number of complaints from park users about dogs and that appears to justify a change in the regulations. Again, a tidy mind will seek a solution for every problem however minor it is and I am sure that one could find someone to complain about almost everything, particularly if one has a tendency towards the curmudgeonly. Of course dogs should not be allowed to bother people and if they do the people concerned have a right to express their displeasure but that does not translate into a need for more control. Can you please be an active voice for the freedom of the individual against the desire of those who would tidy everything away. London is a messy, muddled place but that is what gives it the vibrancy we all enjoy. Freedoms are too easy to limit but those limitations are seldom lifted. I have addressed these remarks to our Councillors as well in the hope that they will appreciate that nanny doesnt always know best and that they should think very carefully before they entertain any moves to restrict the freedom of the individual in even the most minor way. We appeal to anyone who loves dogs, to sign and share this petition that the Councillors of RBKC & Hammersmith will: 1. Democratically consult with Dog Owners, and FODIP “Friends of Dogs In Parks” ahead of the 10 year Master Plan for Holland Park and all parks in the Boroughs, giving Dogs owners a formal Voice in Parks. 2. Preserve the already very limited existing places where dogs can run safely and socialise off leash 3. Create in the parks an additional off-lead space where dogs can be trained off lead by responsible dog trainers 4. Nationally promote good and responsible dog ownership, and safe spaces in urban parks where dogs can run leash-free, enabling them to be well-socialised and trained in as natural an environment as possible in towns and cities. 5. For Dog owners to have a formal Voice in all Parks nationally. Please write to: Councillor Deborah Collinson (Holland Ward) [email protected] Councillor Rock Feilding-Mellen (Holland Ward and Deputy Leader of the Council) [email protected] Councillor Warwick Lightfoot (Holland Ward and Mayor 2005 – 2006) [email protected] [email protected] Claire Rai, Head of Community Safety, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham [email protected] You can sign my petition by clicking here. Thanks! Friends of Dogs In Parks Youre receiving this email because you created the petition RBKC, Hammersmith & Fulham Councillors: 1. Give Dog Owners a formal Voice in Parks Master-Plan Consultations 2. Preserve existing places and create additional training places where dogs can socialise off-leash on Change.org. The petition has been signed by 1 people. To recruit more signers, share your petition through Facebook or Twitter. You can edit your petition, add contact details for decision maker(s), message signers and declare victory on your petition page. 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Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 20:28:04 +0000