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12
Feb
Petition aims to reverse Harrogate dog walking ban
A petition to reverse a commercial dog walking ban at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate has reached over 500 signatures.
The petition, which started on January 29, had 594 signatures at the time of publication.
The Stray Ferret reported last month that signs had been put up at the showground warning commercial dog walkers to stay away.
Private individuals are still able to exercise their dogs at the venue, which is owned by the farming charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and has multiple paths and bridleways running through it.
Many dog walkers, commercial and non-commercial alike, have voiced their frustrations about this ban on the petition.
One comment on the petition website stated that “all dog walkers are free to walk on public footpaths and bridlepaths” and that it was a “dreadful decision” by the society.
Another person said all commercial dog walkers they have met are “nothing but friendly and considerate” and their dogs are “always under control and loving their walks".
One of the signs at the entrance on Hookstone Road.
Hannah Whewell, a commercial dog walker who has used the showground for many years, told the Stray Ferret many people were unsure whether the restrictions could be enforced.
We asked what she thought about the possibility of introducing a code of conduct for all dog walkers in the area.
She said:
I have spoken to a lawyer, a judge, and the council, and they have all said to me that the Yorkshire Agricultural Society can’t enforce these restrictions where there are public bridleways.
I will continue to walk on these public bridleways as I have been in contact with three people who should know about these situations, who have all given me no reason to believe that I can’t.
Restricting us from using the field isn’t going to help anything – it’s just going to bottleneck the problem. Pushing commercial dog walkers away from the fields and onto the public walkways just means that we’re more likely to bump into the small percentage of dog walkers that don’t want to be around us.
I think the introduction of a code of conduct is a really good idea. I totally accept that there are individuals that don’t adhere to the rules, but they should be dealt with on an individual basis. Currently it’s a few individuals spoiling it for those of us who make sure we’re walking our dogs responsibly.
The Great Yorkshire Showground won’t talk to us though. Many emails have been sent asking why they’re doing this, and each has been met with a similar response. They tell us that they’ve had lots of complaints from the public, yet they’re unwilling to show us any evidence of this.
It just feels like they’re only taking one side into consideration. We want them to sit down with us and draw up a code of conduct.
Speaking last month, a spokesperson for the society said all responsible dog walkers, who are not walking their dogs as part of commercial dog walking services, were welcome to use the public footpaths and bridleways.
They added:
Action has been taken to deter commercial dog walking at the showground for the safety and enjoyment of all visitors after the society was contacted by a number of different dog walkers who have reported being verbally abused by commercial dog walkers.
The society has also been contacted by members of the public reporting that their dogs had been attacked by the dogs that some commercial dog walkers bring in large packs and allow to roam off leads. The society cannot police this behaviour, nor the risk assessments or insurance policies held by commercial dog walkers who use the showground’s public footpaths and bridleways.
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