Letter template re dangerous dogs

Dear all

Happy New Year!

Following on from our concerns regarding dangerous dogs,(details here), here's the template for letters to Diane Abbott MP and Mayor Jules Pipe.

You can contact Diane Abbott MP here and Mayor Jules Pipe here.

Best wishes
Keith Magnum
Chair

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Dear Ms Abbott MP / Mayor Pipe ( delete as appropriate)

I am sure you are aware of the rise in numbers of so-called ‘status’ dogs in inner city boroughs such as Hackney and the problems they cause.

These dogs are often bred to attack and can be very unpredictable - yet are often kept off lead by their owners.

There have been a number of incidents in our neighbourhood of pet cats being killed by such dogs – in one incident this happened on the doorstep of the cat owner’s home. Other residents’ dogs have been set upon in the street and left with horrific injuries. It is surprising but fortunate that, so far, no child (or adult) has been injured.

Many people in our community have said that they feel intimidated and are fearful of dogs, particularly so when they are not on a lead.

Currently the law states that dogs should be kept under control, but it does not specify what this entails.

Clearly, a lead is a visible sign of control that could help prevent further attacks on and deaths of local people’s pets, and it would also help residents feel safer when out in their own neighbourhood.

I therefore ask if you could possibly assist in passing a law which specified that, in residential areas in cities, dogs have to be kept on a lead on public roads and street pathways.

I hope you can help, and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

The problem with dogs

Image of Islington tree damaged by dogs
by Graeme Robertson for The Guardian

Dogs are a frequent topic of conversation in our residents’ group, usually on the subject of dog fouling in the park. More serious issues have come to light in recent months concerning the fighting breeds of dog, which seem to be so much a feature of inner city life, and yet are a source of fear to many in our neighbourhood.

Several trees in Butterfield Green have been so badly damaged by these dogs that metal guards have had to used to protect them. Disturbingly, dog fights have been reported taking place in the park at night.

Of greater concern is the number of pets killed by these dogs. Bred to kill, they are very unpredictable and yet are often kept off-lead. Several local people have had their cats killed on their doorsteps by dogs off lead, others have been left with badly injured pets requiring extensive surgery. It’s surprising that, so far, no child has been injured.

Is it time that a law was passed requiring all dogs to kept on a lead on public roads and pathways in cities? Our councilor Karen Alcock is investigating what the council’s policy is on dogs, but if you have a view on the issue we welcome your comments.

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