Councillor's U-turn on dogs
Dog owners could still be allowed to let their pets off the lead in Shrewsbury's Quarry following a massive public outcry about the proposals, a leading councillor revealed today.
Dog owners could still be allowed to let their pets off the lead in Shrewsbury's Quarry following a massive public outcry about the proposals, a leading councillor revealed today.
Councillor Judith Williams said she had listened to the consultation and at the next cabinet meeting in November would suggest dog owners should only be made to put their pet on a lead in The Quarry if it is out of control.
Councillors will then consider the proposal and decide whether to accept the motion by Mrs Williams, the portfolio holder of public amenities and general street cleaning.
More than 360 individual objections to bylaws which would stop dog owners letting their pets off the lead in The Quarry were received by town licensing bosses.
Mrs Williams said after receiving so much correspondence she would recommend dogs only needed to be on a lead in the town centre park if they were misbehaving.
"I'm very grateful to the large number of people who have responded and hope that it will improve the relationship between dog owners and non-dog owners," she said.
"There were lots of reasonable dog owners and a lobby group formed which is quite nice really as they have got a body of people and friends now and then we had fishermen and parents concerned about dogs that are running loose so hopefully this will now create a better relationship between everyone.
"We have looked at it and seen how far we can go and have given everyone a chance to have a say and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council has listened to the consultation.
"It's a case of putting something forward that we think to be a reasonable suggestion.
"I'm quite happy to go with the fact that we no longer pursue that one but owners still have to put them on a lead if asked."
Councillors will consider the proposals at the next cabinet meeting. Dog owners could face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000 if they break the bylaw.
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