Outrage after fatal dog attack on cygnet in Clissold Park

Swans in Clissold Park

Swans in Clissold Park

Clissold Park users have expressed shock and outrage after a young swan died in a dog attack.

The incident took place on Monday next to one of the ponds, according to Caroline Millar from Clissold Park User Group.

She wrote on Facebook: “The swan died of a broken neck when it crashed into the fence trying to take off to escape the dogs.

“It is being looked into by the Hackney enforcement team who have descriptions of the dog walkers. That’s as much as we have been told so far.”

Asked whether the police had been informed and if she thought dogs should be kept on leads around the ponds, she wrote: “I am sorry. I don’t know any more. Regarding compulsory dogs on leads around the ponds, it is certainly something that could be considered but no doubt there would be different views on that.

“It is also quite hard to enforce with dogs running free in other areas. The rules around dogs are coming up for review soon and the user group will be involved in the consultation.”

Heidi Leybourne wrote on Facebook that she has witnessed other attempted attacks on waterfowl by dogs in the park.

She added: “Can we have a compulsory lead zone around animal areas and especially the river, as the birds are so exposed there?”

Another user wrote: “Did anyone see whose dogs [sic] did this? I would like to avoid at all costs.”

Update at 4.54pm on 15 December 2016:

Cllr Caroline Selman, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said: “Our enforcement officers are investigating and will try and track the relevant dog walkers and speak to them.

“Whilst dogs are allowed off the lead in most of the park, we would remind all dog owners that it is their responsibility to keep their dog under control at all times.

“Further, while dogs are generally allowed off the lead, where council officers think a dog may pose a risk they do have the power to ask for it to be put on a lead.

“Our enforcement officers have spoken to dog walkers in Clissold Park, advising them of the restrictions that are in place and that breaches will be enforced with fines.”

4 Comments

  1. Tom on Friday 16 December 2016 at 11:39

    Restrict unleashed dogs to a restricted, fenced-off area, instead of having a restricted dog-free area. If NYC can do it there is no reason why LBH can’t. https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas



  2. David on Sunday 18 December 2016 at 19:45

    Most of the Dog Walkers in clissold park have way to many Dogs with them sometimes up to 12, they then group together which makes huge packs. This needs to be looked at as it is a danger all round



  3. Kirsten on Monday 19 December 2016 at 08:34

    Dog parks ie fenced off off lead areas are terrible for dogs – too many off lead dogs in too small an area with irresponsible owners. Would lead to stressed out dogs causing more problems when outside the dog parks. And more dog on dog aggression. Though I understand if non dog owners don’t really care about that! There’s no easy answer. The problem is bigger than clissold – too many people have dogs who don’t really want or understand them and what dogs need. The solution might be regulation of who can breed, sell, own and be in control of a dog but that’s a lot of regulation and enforcement. In the meantime we need to balance expectations of each other’s behaviour and consideration of each other.



  4. Jane Ilari on Wednesday 21 December 2016 at 15:59

    I agree. There are many dog free areas in Clissold park for picnics, playing, training etc. Most of the dog owner/walkers are very responsible and have respect towards others. There has been an increase recently in the number of dog walkers in the park. With walkers having up to 7 and 8 dogs each. Rumours abound saying that this is because of restrictions on the amount of dogs that can be walked together in other parks. Personally I feel there should be a limit on pack walking for several reasons based on my own experiences in walking my own dog in Clissold.

    *although it is more economical for the walker to take out as many dogs all together, this does question the quality of the dogs’ walk and the relationship and control the walker has with each dog

    * letting all the pack play and sniff about on their walk and having a good experience means less control (however good) the walker has over the individual dogs IF there are too many dogs together. This means a very strict setting the walker has to take so less enjoyable for the dogs and less stress for the walker

    * solo dogs can cause some alarm in other park users at times and large packs can, to some, be very scary. I know, However, there are really far too many dogs at any one time in the park. If I wasI used to be terrified of dogs and would always walk in a different direction if I saw one……I even used to put children between me and a dog on a street……. I’m not scared anymore but can empathise with those who are

    Having said all that most of the dog walkers in Clissold are excellent and manage their dog pack very well. I Have been rambling far too long. I think a maximum of 5 or 6 dogs is ok. IF the dogs are well controlled. I think it is better, tho, to restrict the number to 5. A cost to dog walkers who will have to double the amount of walks, with less dipogs, but better for the dogs and other park users.



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