Dog walkers fight ban at Harrogate park
A petition has been launched against a ban on professional dog walkers at a park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The ban, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, was introduced after claims that pets had “been attacked by the dogs that some commercial dog walkers bring in large packs”.
The petition to “allow commercial dog walkers permission to recommence walking on Yorkshire show ground” was launched in response to the appearance of signs stating professional dog walking would no longer be permitted at the site.
Landowners Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity which organises the Great Yorkshire Show, said it had introduced the ban after complaints from dog owners who claim they had experienced incidents of verbal abuse and physical attacks on their pets.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Agricultural Society told the Harrogate Adviser: “Action has been taken to deter commercial dog walking at the Showground for the safety and enjoyment of all visitors after the society was contacted by a number of different dog walkers who have reported being verbally abused by commercial dog walkers.
“The society has also been contacted by members of the public reporting that their dogs had been attacked by the dogs that some commercial dog walkers bring in large packs and allow to roam off leads.
“The society cannot police this behaviour, nor the risk assessments or insurance policies held by commercial dog walkers who use the Showground’s public footpaths and bridleways.”
The petition argues that the ban “threatens their livelihoods”, is an insult to professional dog walkers’ training, and ignores the fact that the site “has long been a shared community asset, used respectfully by professional dog walkers, families and other visitors”.
