These furry terrorists are ruining Haden Hill Park for the rest of us

2:55pm Friday 14th December 2012 in Letters

The beautiful place that is Haden Hill Park has finally succumbed to the ravages of an ever growing group in society known as the dogwalkers.


What was intended as a calm relaxing retreat, where folk could stroll in peace amongst the wonderful trees and plants and children could play safely, has now become the territory of the furry terrorist.


It would seem that the myth of “the responsible dog owner” is just that - a myth. The number of uncontrolled dogs that are seen running loose in the park and also on the road outside, is totally unfair to those who wish to walk in the park without having one of these four-legged faeces producers bounding towards them.


How ludicrous is the oft heard shout of, “don’t worry, he won’t hurt you, he only wants to play” as the coat that you are wearing is dirtied by paws placed firmly on your person.


And, to add insult to injury, when leaving the dog owners use local householders’ driveways to turn their vehicles round.


I ask all dog-owners to have a more considerate attitude to the leisure areas that are there for everyone to enjoy.


John Parker, Cradley Heath
 

Comments(18)

Sam Vimes says...
10:08pm Fri 14 Dec 12

I don't think I ever want to meet fury terrorist. They sound positively frightening.

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dudley old boy says...
7:38am Sat 15 Dec 12

What a headline. what time's the detonation 21/12/2012 the end is nigh

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Ed Winchester says...
2:15pm Sat 15 Dec 12

Unfortunately we no longer go there for this reason. Both times our family has tried to have a nice family picnic at the park, it has been spoilt by dogs either attacking the kids footballs, or going for the food.
You won't change the attitude of the dog owners, and we can't expect to have the 'dogs must be on leads' law enforced.
Maybe next time I'll take a football full of angry wasps, and plenty of laxative chocolate. A little treat for these little scamps

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skyebee says...
9:45am Mon 17 Dec 12

I use Haden Hill Park very often to walk my 2 dogs, and they love it! And so do i its a beautiful place.

I have to say that if people go to this park, it is dog friendly and they should understand that there will be dogs playing.

If people do not like dogs, then they should find somewhere to go which doesnt allow them.

Most dogs are friendly, happy and playful and i have to say most people we meet are more than happy to give the dogs a fuss.

Its a park to be shared, i keep my dogs under control as much as i can, but theyre a free spirit also. And i always pick up their mess.

Its infair to tarr dog walkers with being a pain - when a lot of picknickers im afraid cause more trouble with the rubbish they thinks its okay to leave.

Maybe we should just respect that the park is for everyone - furry friends too!

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Sullyandtatty says...
10:29am Mon 17 Dec 12

Dear John Parker.

I completely agree.

During the summer, it was very upsetting to see Haden Hill littered with burst footballs, empty crisp packets frailing in the wind, carrier bags acting as unwanted flags on trees, lost socks, empty cans of lager, soggy sausage roll packets, and empty bottles of fruit shoot.

These dogs really do go wild in the summer.

Thankfully its not half as bad in the winter. They don't seem to like getting muddy shoes.

Yours sincerly

Sully and Tatty

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satchman says...
2:35pm Mon 17 Dec 12

Love the comments from Sully and Tatty.Says it all really about who makes most of the mess.Leave dog owners alone.Most are responsible and enjoy the park as much as other people do.Humans make more of a mess than dogs do,and I go there regular myself to notice the empty beer cans and rubbish left around the park.

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Ed Winchester says...
4:14pm Mon 17 Dec 12

"If people do not like dogs, then they should find somewhere to go which doesnt allow them."
Sounds great skyebee! Where in the local area is this magical land of family friendly fun? Or are you suggesting that we confine our picnic to the fenced off childrens play area?
To be honest, the crisp packets and beer cans are probably left by the same thoughtless people who think that everyone loves their dog, or that their dog can run wild around the park.

"and I go there regular myself to notice the empty beer cans and rubbish left around the park."
satchman. Personally I go there for the scenery, but each to their own :)

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skyebee says...
4:53pm Mon 17 Dec 12

Well are you suggesting that dog walkers confined also?

I didnt say there was a magical land of family fun i just said elsewhere. Make of that what you will.

As far as im concerned dogs are part of peoples families and they should be allowed to run free.

And i think youll find dog walkers are more thoughtful of others than people who look down their noses at us.

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satchman says...
7:03pm Mon 17 Dec 12

Yes I noticed the typo after I had published it. Mean't to say "And Notice" The empty beer cans

As for you Ed Winchester...The park is for ALL!! Including our furry friends.If you don't like it I suggest you find some where else to frequent..or just live and let live!!! As for the dog owners being the ones who throw away empty beer cans and the like...I would say NOT!! Perhaps it is you who has eaten the Laxative chocolates meant for the dogs..because by the way you speak about others.. it seems to be working well!!

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mom2kids says...
8:15pm Mon 17 Dec 12

The park is only for all who abide by the general rules.
Pick up your litter.
Only let your dog off the lead if you can control it!
Keep it away from others by calling it back when you come across other park users.
Pick up any mess your dog leaves.
And if your dog is likely to rip the face off other dogs (because you have no control over it) put a muzzle on it.

Simples.

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skyebee says...
7:02am Tue 18 Dec 12

Satchman and mom2kids I agree with both of you! I do not condone dangerous dogs bring allowed to run free, and I also absolutely agree that any fouling is picked up. If the park is used consideratly by all then it's a good thing for every one to be able to socialise. If people really don't want to see dogs on their outings then they should respect that as their own minority choice and keep away. If I didn't like horses I would not walk around a stables and field and expect them to be locked away because I do not like them. It's ridiculous.

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dudley old boy says...
8:30am Tue 18 Dec 12

Sounds like Ed thinks the parks for his personal use

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mike short says...
10:29am Wed 19 Dec 12

There is a childrens play area. Why is there not a fenced off section allocated for exercising dogs off the lead - leaving the rest of the facilities for people who just want a peaceful walk (with a dog on a lead if you wish) or sit down.

No dog owner can guarantee control of their dog off the lead . The equivalent cry of 'Fenton!' reverberates regularly across the park.
A 'friendly' dog bounding towards you can be a frightening experience for many to whom the ridiculous 'he wont hurt you, he wants to play' is no comfort at all.

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lutleyyeltz says...
1:52pm Sun 23 Dec 12

Local firms that offer a dog care and walking service use this park regularly, one in particular comes three times a day in a van and their website advertises that; “we make good use of local open spaces.” What right do these people have to assume that it is acceptable to commandeer public amenities for the toilet needs of their moneymaking charges? Don’t tell me that when they have three or four dogs with them that they clean up after each and every one.
No, the easy way is to let them loose into the shrubberies and planted areas. “Out of sight - out of mind.”

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Wizard_of_Oz says...
11:54am Mon 24 Dec 12

As a regular dog walker in haden hill i regularly see the debris of uncontrolable humans who during the summer months leave picnic debris blowing around broken bottles on the grass as well as the empty cans of lager, then theres your kids who think its ok to sit smoking splifs, or setting fire to the furniture or dumping it in the duck pond.

There used to be a building called for brothers of rest, burnt down by your lovley kids no doubt.

plastic sheeting up at the windows of the old haden hill house to prevent your kids smashing the windows.

someones son found it so relaxing he decided to pleasure himself in the open space.

I must applaude the park planners who decided to build a scream feast play area right next to the bowls green, there has been many a time i could have found a much better use for the jack than on the green

so while every one is condeming the activity of dogs in the park are you absolutly sure your beloved kid isnt doing any of these activities.

so while i witness all of the items above i have not quarms about letting my dogs off the lead and dump where they want.

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lutleyyeltz says...
12:11pm Mon 24 Dec 12

The last paragraph is so public-spirited, isn't it?
"Responsible dog owners" - don't make me laugh.

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mom2kids says...
2:11pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Wizard of Oz - Toxocariasis is one very good reason why you should be picking up your dogs mess. It's because of people like you that other responsible dog owners are getting abuse.
You have no proof that any of the activities you describe have been preformed by children. However walkers can identify dog poo with relative ease. It's so easy just to pick it up !

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skyebee says...
1:49pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Just leave dog walkers alone. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. We make no more mess or annoy people any more than anyone else. May that be children, teenagers, or unfriendly closed minded people. Live and let live.

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