Agenda item

            The Committee was informed that the issues of dog fouling and the management of dogs in the Council’s parks and open spaces had on a number of occasions been raised both by Elected Members and within responses to public consultation exercises.  The Head of Parks and Leisure reported that several residents within the vicinity of Orangefield Park had highlighted recently a number of dog-related issues, including dogs being permitted to foul on recreational areas such as football pitches, being released off their leads and on occasions being aggressive towards members of the public and other dogs.

            She explained that a number of suggestions had been put forward by residents in order to address these issues and that it was now proposed that a pilot Dog Management Scheme be introduced within the Orangefield Park.  She provided an overview of the initiative, which would involve the zoning of the Park into three areas, where dogs would either not be permitted, be required to remain on a lead or allowed to run freely.

            She explained that the main objectives of the pilot would be to:

·         improve the service provision within the Orangefield Park;

·         develop improved relationships with local residents through a process of consultation in order to ensure that their needs were being met; and

·         work in collaboration with the Council’s Anti-social Behaviour Officer and the Dog Warden Service.

            She added that the scheme would be developed in consultation with parks users and run for a period of six months, following which it would be evaluated in order to assess its effectiveness in terms of dog management.  The estimated cost of signage at the entrance to and within the Park would be £8,000, with an additional £2,000 being required for the promotion of the pilot scheme.  Accordingly, she recommended that the Committee approve the implementation of the pilot Dog Management Scheme within the Orangefield Park.

            During discussion, several Members voiced concern that dogs would be permitted to run freely within the Orangefield Park, albeit within designated areas, and in terms of the health risks associated with dog fouling.  It was pointed out that there was a considerable distance between the entrances to the Park and those areas where dogs could be released from their lead and it was suggested that it would be beneficial for additional areas to be made available at points nearer to the entrances.

            In response, the Head of Parks and Leisure pointed out that the primary purpose of the scheme was to enhance the experience of all visitors using the Park and that there would still be a responsibility on dog owners to remove fouling deposited by their dogs anywhere within the Park.  In addition, the Council would continue to promote all aspects of responsible dog ownership.  She undertook to consult with local residents in order to address any issues arising from the initiative, including those which had been raised by the Members.

            After further discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation and noted that a report on the outcome of the evaluation of the pilot scheme would be submitted for its consideration in due course.