I Thought Teenage Students Were Hard Up?

Residents complained they were often too frightened to leave their homes — and the communal grassy areas were messy no-go zones. In some cases the dogs were so neglected they had to be put down.

As tensions increased between young owners and residents, people living on the Sandlings Estate in Haringey devised an “action plan” and applied for government funding to clean up the area.

Because cleaning up after unruly beasts (do I mean the dogs or the teenagers? You decide…) is what government is for…

The estate was granted more than £4,200 of Home Office money…

Bzzzt! Wrong! It’s OUR money.

…through the Community Development Foundation. The grant was spent on three roadshow-style events that encouraged young owners to come forward, get their animals microchipped and learn how to care for and discipline them.

*sigh*

Halil Ankay, a 17-year-old student who lives on the Sandlings Estate, said his two-year-old Akita, Blaze, had frightened residents with its barking but is now “calm”.

A 17 year old student can afford to buy and feed a large, powerful dog?


Oh, well. At least we aren't buying them the equipment they…

Oh.

Halil took Blaze to the roadshow, where owners were also given free equipment such as harnesses, collars and leads.

He said: “They gave me a few tips to calm him down, such as covering his eyes if he starts barking and reassuring other people he is no threat to them.They recommended Blaze should also wear a muzzle for other people’s safety and I had him microchipped.

“It’s a good atmosphere on the estate now.”

Is it?

Margaret Clarke, chairwoman of the tenants and residents association, said: “Now, a lot of the dogs are under control and they are not running around so much. The owners are picking up after them and it’s as though they've really learned a lesson.”

‘A lot’. Meaning some aren't?

And why is it considered ‘a success’ if it took a government grant to make people do what they should have been doing in the first place?

Alison Seabrooke, chief executive of the Community Development Foundation, said the area had seen a reduction in complaints about anti-social behaviour involving dogs, adding: “This success speaks for itself.”

Now, other London estates are being invited to see if they are eligible for similar funding through a £30million Community First pot.

Of course they are! Government money is free - isn't it?