Packed crowd boo and shout over dog orders

The public gallery as Warwick District Council’s executive committee was full to brimming, and many struggled to keep their feelings under control.

During the public consultation, dog owners came out in force against the orders which would mean in certain areas, including parts of Newbold Comyn, Mill Gardens and Warwick Racecourse, dogs would be required to be kept on a lead, while they would be banned from other places altogether.

The orders would also be more stringent in enforcing people to clear dog mess.

The executive voted to recommend to full council that Mill Gardens be excluded from the bill, and that dogs could go into cemeteries on a lead, but not crematoriums.

Cllr Bill Gifford (Lib, Leamington Milverton) said: “These are problems caused by people who don’t really care for their dogs. In crematoriums and cemeteries dogs shouldn’t be excluded but should go on the lead. I feel it’s a bit heavy handed to exclude them.”

There were cries of ‘hear hear’ from the gallery when he suggested the problem was more on the streets rather than open space.

Cllr Michael Coker (Con, Kenilworth Abbey) said: “Reasonable dog owners have nothing to fear.

“The golf course didn’t object to anybody using the path around it. But said that on the path that goes through it dogs should be on leads.

“With the racecourse it’s for the track alone. There’s no reason why someone cannot exercise their dog on the right side of the rail. It’s in all of our interests that it remains in good condition.”

Booes often rang out from the public gallery, while one woman shouted that councillors were ignoring all the views and rights of their constituents.

The decision will be made by full council on June 29.