Owners secure Coedffranc Council rethink on ban on dogs running off the lead in Skewen Park
DOG owners whose hackles were raised by a ban in Skewen Park have forced councillors into a rethink.
Coedffranc Community Council caused uproar when it decided to ban dogs from being allowed to run off the lead anywhere in the park.
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Dog walkers at the park in Skewen in November
The council had originally investigated whether it could provide a designated area of the park where dogs could be allowed off the lead.
Now that is what members are likely to introduce after the ban provoked an angry response in the community.
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In November, 50 owners packed out a public meeting in Skewen Rugby Club.
They said the decision had been made without any public consultation.
Petitions were circulated and there was even talk of efforts to get the council disbanded.
The matter was raised again at Coedffranc's latest meeting, when details of letters of objection were presented to members.
Several residents attended the meeting.
Council clerk Wendy Thomas said afterwards: "We are now going to be looking at a compromise.
"This will involve an area of the park where dogs will be allowed off the lead, but they would have to be kept on leads elsewhere."
Because of council procedures the matter cannot be discussed further until the original decision has been rescinded.
This is likely to happen at the council's next meeting, on Wednesday of next week.
Mrs Thomas said: "It has been agreed in principle to provide a designated area, but not confirmed yet."
One of the residents who attended November's public meeting and this month's Coedffranc meeting was Keri Vandenberg.
In November she said there had been talk of trying to disband the council.
"There are very strong feelings about it," she said. "They seem to have made an arbitrary decision."
"We are paying money to this council and we do not know what its remit is. A small number of councillors have made a decision that a large number of people they represent disagree with."
However, Mrs Vandenberg said she was happy with the rethink.
"It looks as if they are now going to give us what we wanted in the first place.
"It's common sense. If you want to let your dog off the lead, you can. If you don't, you still have the rest of the park you can go to," she added.
Comments
by BenJ83
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 7:38PM
“I don't like children, could they be kept on a lead please?”
by SuzyM
Monday, January 07 2013, 6:21PM
“twin60 - why are you so anti the dogs having their own small bit of the park ? The people who have signed these petitions are the responsible dog walkers who use the park . It is not unreasonable for them to ask for a designated area to exercise their dogs .
"This is a public park, dogs should be kept on leads at all times and muzzled !" to be honest I often think that about the ungrateful kids in Skewen - ie : the ones who set fire to the astro turf football area , or the ones who use the park to drink then leave bottles and broken glass strewn around the shelter .
siarad2 - the people who have asked the council to reconsider their actions are the owners who already pick up after their dogs . If you are a regular visitor to the park you will know that the dog waste bins fill up very quickly (unfortunatley they are not emptied as often as you would expect !) On numerous occasions regular dog walkers have offered bags to walkers who have been seen not to pick up after their dog all they get is a mouthful of abuse ! This has been pointed out to the council many times .”
by Julesbreadbox
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:56PM
“Why not create "dog playgrounds" similar to the American/Canadian model which look like chilrden's playgrounds with a fence around them. Dogs are allowed to run free within these areas, the owners are responsible for clearing up any mess and may have to show proof of insurance on demand by playground wardens.
Outside these designated areas dogs have to be kept on the lead.”
by twin60
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:10PM
“I have seen playful dogs bounding towards adults and children and the owner shouting "its OK ! She wont hurt you", but the person whom the dog is running towards doesnt know that and the damage is already done, Ive seen many a child crying and adults scared. We pay the taxes not the dogs - Lets hope the community council does not back down.”
by siarad2
Monday, January 07 2013, 4:11PM
“Maybe these protesters should form a group to continuously patrol & clean up the dog mess, then perhaps everyone would be happy.”
by BossHogg
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:01AM
“Everyones gone Barking Mad”
by twin60
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:48AM
“This is a public park, dogs should be kept on leads at all times and muzzled !”