Dog walkers are fuming after finding out a London borough is dreaming up new rules that could stop their pets roaming freely in parks. Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman, who has made headlines in the past for his spats with the Labour party, is overseeing the enforcement of the government's 'Asbos for dogs' policy. Known officially as the Public Spaces Protection Orders, the regulations have already been implemented across the country. However, Tower Hamlets is an oddity by failing to specify which areas dogs are allowed to roam leadless.
Probably none, which would, of course, suit majority population in this little corner of Bangladesh London down to the ground....
It is this greyness in the rules which has now left open the possibility that the borough's biggest green spaces, such as Victoria Park, could now become no-go areas for dogs. The council claim that these clampdowns are warranted due to an increase in violent dog attacks in the borough alongside a rise in reported dog fouling.
Well, of course they do..!
One such livid Tower Hamlets local is Team GB star Scarlett Mew Jensen, who won a bronze medal in diving at last summer's Paris Olympics. The proud owner of black labrador Olive, Jensen has claimed that her energetic canine companion would not be the same dog if mayor Rahman institutes a borough-wide ban on leadless dogs in parks. 'If she's not able to get off the lead, she's not able to be a dog. That adjustment would be really hard', Jensen told the Times. 'She has to run from time to time or she's not herself', the Olympian added.
Perhaps she should move out of the area then. There are far better places to live, after all.
Reacting to the pushback over its enforcement of the 'Asbos for dogs' policy, Tower Hamlets council have cited data which suggests there were 108 dog attack penalties issued in the area in 2023-24. Although, objecting locals have pointed out that this data mainly features the notorious XL Bully breed which has been under a nationwide ban since the start of 2024.
It's a red herring. The real reason is obvious.
Another issue of contention with the proposed dog law changes is Tower Hamlets council's plan to hire an additional 31 enforcement officers across the borough whose roles will include policing any pet owners in breach of the new lead rules. This would increase the number of enforcement officers in the borough by almost double, seeing a total of 64 officers employed at a starting salary of at least £55,698. In stark contrast, a new Met Police hire can expect to earn nearly £20,000 less, with a starting salary of just £38,269. The council has so far failed to explain this disparity in wages.
*shrug* That's what Tower Hamlets voted for, it's a bit late for buyer's remorse now.
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