Intimidating dog walker banned and fined
A commercial dog walker has been banned from the parks and open spaces within the Three Rivers area, Hertfordshire.
Paul Kingston – known locally as ‘Bob’ – from Hillview Road, Hatch End, Middlesex, has been prohibited from walking dogs in the Three Rivers area for 10 years and was ordered to pay £2,500 by St Albans Magistrates Court.
The district council received complaints about Kingston walking more than four dogs, which were large breeds and consisted of German Shepherds and Labradors, at South Oxhey Playing Fields in July 2021.
The large dogs were allowed off-lead, but were intimidating other people walking their dogs. Kingston was reported as being aggressive, rude, and intimidating when he was approached to put the dogs on the lead, forcing walkers to change their route to avoid him. Kingston denied the allegations.
Kingston ignored all correspondence from the council, resulting in a Community Protection Notice being issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This prohibited him from being in charge of any dog/dogs at any location within the Three Rivers area.
Kingston is also prohibited from accompanying any other person walking dogs that are associated with his dog walking business. He remains free to walk in the area so long as he is not accompanied by any dogs.
Kingston appealed against the notice but was unsuccessful with Deputy District Judge Booty sitting at the Magistrates Court in St Albans finding against him. On the evidence called by Three Rivers District Council, the Judge found that Kingston’s behaviour was unreasonable following a large number of complaints. The Judge also found that Kingston’s conduct was having a detrimental effect on other dog walkers and was persistent in nature.
Emma Sheridan, Associate Director for Customer and Community at Three Rivers District Council, said: “This is an excellent result. We want all of our wonderful parks and open spaces to be enjoyed by everyone and the court’s decision sends a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
“The council is committed to the promotion of responsible dog ownership and will take action against those who fail to keep dogs under their supervision under control. We are delighted the court agreed and dismissed this appeal.”
