“If dog owners get fined, so should runners and cyclists”: Crawley dog walkers react to proposed Tilgate Park restrictions
and live on Freeview channel 276
The £100 on the spot fine is in response to a petition signed by 146 people last September, brought about by a dog being attacked by another dog at Tilgate Park.
Despite a report from the council that said 22 dog-related reports had been made to Sussex Police between 2018 and 2021, the regular dog walkers of Tilgate Park are bewildered by the new penalty proposals.
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Hide AdDog-owners feel hard done by the new restrictions as some of the people who regularly attend the park feel that they are sensible with their dogs and that there are more dangerous park users, including cyclists and runners.
A dog walker we interviewed has had many confrontations with runners around Tilgate Park and even today, there was a near miss between him and a cyclist.
Long-standing resident Betty Oldfield said: “If they aren’t well-behaved then yes, but if they are under control like she is, I don’t see any reason not to have a dog off a lead.”
Maidenbower resident Alexandra said: “It’s absolutely fine, it won’t affect me really.
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Hide Ad“If it’s the whole park that would spell trouble for the dogs and their owners.
“I understand keeping the dog on a lead around the lake, but the woods should be free for dogs to be let off the lead.
Long-time Tilgate resident Bill Nippier said: “It’s ridiculous to be honest with you.
“We’ve been coming up here since 1973.
“I’ve been told to put the dog on the lead when the runners have been coming up here. I refuse to do it. I said I’ve been coming up here for a long time, you’ve only been here for 5 years.
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