Dog’s to be kept on leads in the Parish Meadow

Dear Parishioners,

Yesterday we put a post on Facebook regarding dogs being kept on leads in the meadow, we fully understand that some dog owners may feel frustrated by this change. Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly.

We have received a number of complaints and concerns which we must carefully consider in order to ensure the meadow remains a safe and enjoyable space for everyone including dog owners, children, elderly residents, and those who may feel nervous around dogs.

Importantly, dogs have not been banned from the meadow. We are simply asking that they are kept on a lead while using this shared space. There are other nearby areas where dogs are able to run freely, and we encourage owners to make use of those where appropriate.

This approach also allows children to play safely, particularly as we do not have any other public green areas within the parish where families can enjoy open space.

We have received reports of small children being jumped at and frightened, as well as concerns from individuals with reactive dogs who find uncontrolled encounters distressing. We also ask that consideration is shown towards residents who may feel anxious around dogs, particularly elderly members of our community who may feel vulnerable.

In addition, the amount of dog waste that has not been picked up presents a health hazard for our staff who are required to mow and strim the meadow. We will not be installing dog waste bag dispensers in the meadow due to the cost involved, and because experience has shown that these facilities are often misused or abused.

Although we have received a number of complaints, we would also like to note that the positive comments and supportive emails we have received currently outweigh the negative feedback.

At this time, we do not believe a public consultation is necessary. Our aim is simply to ensure the meadow remains welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for all members of the community, including responsible dog owners.

We would also like to note that the dogs on leads posters, including the posts that were put in place, have been removed. As you can imagine, we are not happy about this. The removal of official signage and interference with posts placed to support the safe management of the meadow may constitute a criminal offence, and we would ask that any further incidents do not occur.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and thank you for helping us maintain a space that can be enjoyed by all.

Kind regards,

The Parish Hall