Local councillors are calling on dog owners in North East Leeds to be aware that the actions of their pets could land them in the dog house with the authorities.
Visitors to Potternewton Park in Chapel Allerton are complaining of dog owners encouraging their pets to tear strips of bark from trees. They say this is not only damaging the trees in the park but also intimidating other park users.
It's understood that the activity is sometimes used by owners to strengthen the jaws of their dogs in dog fighting, although the reason for it in Potternewton Park is unclear.
Chapel Allerton Labour councillor Jayne Dowson, along with her colleagues Eileen Taylor and Mohammed Rafique, are now warning dog owners who let their pets take part in this activity that they face prosecution under park bylaws should they be caught.
Dowson said:
"With dog ownership under considerable scrutiny at the present time, I want to make people aware that it is simply not acceptable that the experiences of people in our parks are being spoiled at the hands of a few irresponsible pet owners.
"Dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pets. If a dog is caught causing damage in parks, even to the trees, the owner can be reported and prosecuted by the police under park bylaws, in much the same way as dog fouling is prosecuted."
Meanwhile, Leeds council has moved to scotch rumours that it is planning to ban dogs from the city's parks.
More than 1,000 people have responded to a city-wide consultation on potential powers that could impose new controls on dogs and responsibilities on their owners across Leeds. Some angry residents had contacted the council to protest because they believed the new powers would prevent them from exercising their pets in open spaces such as Roundhay Park.
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