Even if you don’t live in this London Borough nor in the UK, please help us keep our freedom to run freely.
We’ve been informed that the Councillors of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) and Hammersmith & Fulham have recently approved an amendment to the Dog Control Order that dogs must be kept on leads anywhere in the open air at any time … effectively, this means that all dogs are required to be kept on a lead at all times in Holland Park.
We actually don’t go to Holland Park mainly for those reasons. They are so restrictive and it’s no fun that we can’t run freely and chase squirrels and dash around. We are after all dogs that require our exercise. But the worry is if they start to do this, and get away with it, it could lead to other parks in the borough being affected. We’re not sure if Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are under their jurisdiction. But just so they don’t get away with it quietly, we are asking you to help us fight out cause.
There is a petition on change.org to oppose this amendment. Please click on the link below to help us reverse this.
May’s comment: There has not been any confirmation from the entity about this – just different responses. Some denied that it’s true and others have reprimanded Friends of Dogs in Parks for wasting their time or telling them to campaign against those few irresponsible dog owners. They claim they have the right to change jurisdiction to protect public facilities.
We really would appreciate your support in spreading the word and getting more signatures, in appealing to the Councillors of Kensington and Chelsea to retract the approved amendment. And if that is true, that they should consider providing dog owners with a designated area in Holland Park or any parks for dogs to run freely and exercise. Please help us by signing the petition. Sign Petition
11 Responses
Signed x
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Thank you! x
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Signed. Dogs need freedom too xx
Thank you.
I feel quite cross about this petition as I feel I kind of dragged you and the lovely Cockapoo owners into it! I have taken a careful look at the page on Change.org. The “Friends of Dogs in Parks” give no contact details and do not seem to even have a website. I have tweeted to the k&c councillor targeted in the petition and he denies such plans. I also have a tweet from a H&F councillor I know who says there is no such proposal in this borough either. So I think the petition is either:
– A panicked but genuinely worried dog owner acting alone
Or
– a bit of political mischief-making, possibly intended to whip up anti-Islamic feeling.
I wondered this myself and was therefore cautious and waited a week before posting this. Something is happening in Holland Park but I doubt it will spread to Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. On the other hand I have seen communication from one Councillor who said they have the rights to change any laws pertaining to public areas. No harm in making them aware that we have a collective voice and to consider us before doing anything. We’ll see. I doubt that there was any menace in the effort even though I know that amongst people who have queried the origins had the same thoughts.
See this: http://nottinghillpost.com/dogs-will-run-free-part-2/
FRIENDS OF DOGS IN PARKS are an ordinary group of dog lovers, and a few vets. We received a letter from our MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind who wrote on our behalf to the Council. The Council on 19/2/14 replied:
‘Effectively, this means that all dogs are required to be kept on a lead at all times in Holland Park …
“There is currently a proposal to amend the Dog Control Order with the even simpler designation that dogs must be kept on leads on:
a) 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 footpaths and verges.’ …
This amendment has been approved by Councillors and that public consultation will commence shortly’.
We have corrected Lyn Carpenter’s statement on NottingHillPost Blog which contradicts her department’s letter of 19/2/14. Do email friendsofpark_dogs@yahoo.co.uk for copies of original source documents from the Council, Lyn Carpenter and Sir Malcolm.
We do not have a website as we are newly formed, and most of us are not tech-savvy.
Legal advice said the Dog Control Orders 2007/13 as stay stand, remain a Sword of Damocles over Dog Owners’ heads, as “Dogs on Leads” REMAIN legally enforceable any place at any time, unless the Council amends them to exclude areas in parks. Please continue to write to the Councillors and ask them to amend the Dog Control Orders 2007/13 in consultation with Dog Owners as requested in our Change.Org Petition. Do continue to sign and share our Change.Org petition with your friends:
http://www.change.org/petitions/councillor-rock-feilding-mellen-give-dogs-off-lead-areas-in-parks-where-they-can-run-free-and-socialise-give-dog-owners-a-formal-voice-in-park-consultations-amend-dog-control-orders-2005-07-13-in-consultation-with-dog-owners?recruiter=32896693&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
Thank you for your support.
Professor John Cosgrove
Mr. Jon Bowen MRCVS – Dog Behaviour Specialist
Mr. Richard Allport MRCVS – Dogs Today Columnist
Mr. Andrew Carmichael MRCVS – Holland Park
Dr. Pamela Neville-Sington
Edward Buckhaven
Nick Hopper
Adam John Williams
Claudia Lorenzo
Mei Lee
Mohammed Reza Behzadi
Mohd Hassan Sukiman
Julia Basirov
Eric Chautroux
Justin Keeling
Gabrielle McCarthy
Alex Brodie
Hon. William Jolliffe
FRIENDS OF DOGS IN PARKS IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!
DO YOU LOVE DOGS? PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO LET YOUR DOGS RUN FREE IN PARKS!
Please LIKE & SHARE with all of your friends to raise awareness for this important cause, so that dogs can run free in UK parks.
http://on.fb.me/1jgKZ6n
Friends of Dogs in Parks