Dog owners of Warwick district make a stand

Warwick District Council wants to impose further restrictions on the areas where people can take their dogs off the lead and to introduce stricter measures to prevent fouling in public places.

A public consultation on the matter has now ended, but campaigners organised a peaceful protest around Christchurch Gardens and the town centre to demonstrate how strongly they feel - and managed to gather an extra 400 signatures to a petition against the proposals.

Kate Pittel, who is standing for election as a district councillor on the issue, said: “Considering it was Easter weekend, we had a really good turnout. We had a consistent crowd all day.

“The atmosphere was really good. One of the other organisers said it was like a cross between a picnic, a peaceful protest and Crufts.”

She added: “A lot of people were interested to know what their ward councillors felt. I think it’s going to have an impact on how people vote.

“This issue has been gathering pace really furiously, so I’m not surprised at the amount of interest shown.

“I am optimistic that the proposals are going to be amended, although many of us would like them to be scrapped completely because they are not necessary.”

Cllr Michael Coker (Con, Kenilworth Abbey), responsible for issues to do with the environment, made an appearance towards the end of the protest. He said: “It has been pointed out that there is a clause in the council’s policy that could be interpreted to mean the council could extend an order without further consultation. There is no such intention. If it is so, that is something that will be rectified.

“What I want to make absolutely clear, is that there is no party line on this. It’s a consultation and in that respect, everybody’s opinions will be listened to.”

The district council’s executive committee is due to discuss the matter on June 8 and a decision will be made by the full council on June 29.