REPORTS FROM THE RECORDER & ADVERTISING RATES
The Riddlesdown Recorder
On Line
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PLANNING ADVICE ON
USEFUL LOCAL INFORMATION & LINKS
Information on Local Healthcare, Leisure,
Transport -
Community Page
(Things to do, join and help with)
ABOUT THE
RIDDLESDOWN
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
ABOUT RIDDLESDOWN
AND ITS COMMON
DOG OWNERSHIP
Updated 2/3/19
Dog Waste Disposal in Riddlesdown
A reminder for the dog owner/walker who is still dropping their dog waste in black or orange bags in Riddlesdown Ave, Brancaster Lane, and the Public Footpath between Purley Bury Ave and Riddlesdown Ave. It is an offence; see this link to Croydon Council's website
Also for the few owners/walkers who don't use one of the many dog waste bins on Riddlesdown's Open Space and like to throw the dog poo bags in the undergrowth or hang them on shrubs and bushes, which has resulted in the Council erecting these notices below.
It is not the responsibility of our Street Champions, or other members of the public to pick up this dog waste.!
Croydon Council's Neighbourhood Safety Team/Enforcement have been advised and are now patrolling the area.
Someone has a sense of humour who has fixed this notice to a fence on the Public Footpath between Riddlesdown Ave and Purley Bury Ave. It is of course for the few dog owners who don't clean up, or dump the bags anywhere. But we know most dog owners/walkers are very good.
Dog attack on Sheep -
Since 6 April 2016 it is compulsory for owners to ensure their dog is microchipped.
Under the new measures all owners must ensure their dog is microchipped and their details are kept up to date. Not only will this mean the UK’s 8.5 million dogs can be returned to their owners more quickly if they wander too far from home, but it will also make it easier to track down the owners of dogs that carry out attacks on people.
More details on this Government website
Riddlesdown Common, Mitchley Wood, Ragged Grove, Skylark Field, Warlingham Court Farm and all other Open Spaces adjoining the Riddlesdown Common -
The RRA continue to receive reports that some aggressive dogs are not being controlled on a lead or muzzled and are attacking other dogs and even their owners. We have received many reports about this now and we have previously brought this to the attention of the City of London Corporation and Croydon Council, who are the two main land owners in the Riddlesdown Common area. The Police are also aware.
The RRA would like to remind all dog owners that you are legally liable for the behaviour of your dog which could result in prosecution. See this Government Leaflet Link
Croydon Council has a dog warden service, with a warden on duty 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and an emergency service outside these days and times, on 020 8726 6000 (option 7). This can be used to report instances of dog nuisance, dangerous dogs and missing or stray dogs, etc. Croydon Council also provides other services relating to noise control (including dog barking causing a nuisance), dangerous dogs, dog fouling, pet animals, etc. and carries leaflets and detailed information on its website: Link
This leaflet BARK (Borough Action for Responsible K9s) is also available to download. Link
Riddlesdown Common -
Increasing numbers of deer have been seen roaming Riddlesdown Common and the adjoining Green Belt wood and scrub land. This is good to see.
However, there have also recently been reports of dogs been seen chasing deer on a number of occasions. Unfortunately on Saturday 5 January 2013 at approx 9.30am, two Alsatian dogs were seen chasing deer which resulted in one doe being severely injured. The Police and a vet were called to the injured deer which subsequently had to be put down by injection. The Police at Sanderstead SNT are pursuing their enquiries to establish these dog owner(s).
Dog owners are reminded to keep their dogs under control at all times when on the Common and to be prepared to encounter deer at any time. If owners have large and/or, any type of dog that is likely to chase deer, then they are urged to take measures, to prevent further attacks to deer.
Dog Ownership in Riddlesdown -
The RRA has received some complaints recently, about irresponsible dog ownership, by a few owners, causing a nuisance to Riddlesdown residents, especially continuous barking of dogs. Although the RRA cannot take direct action on behalf of the complainant, here are a few tips, some useful information and website links.
Further information and some personal Riddlesdown related dog stories, can be found in the autumn/winter issue of the RRA Recorder.
The RSPCA provides very good information and advice for individuals about having dogs as pet animals on its website at: http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs
The RSPCA also provides a telephone advice and information phone line at 0300 1234 999.
Legally, all pet (not just dog) owners have a duty of care under the Animal Welfare Act, to provide their animals with a suitable living environment.
In public places for dogs, there are also various environmental and dogs acts and orders. These state that dogs must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address and it is a criminal offence for owner and/or the person in charge of a dog to allow it to be dangerously out of control. Owners have to clean up after their dogs and put them on leads when directed to do so and ensure that their dog does not worry livestock.
For further information, see website links:
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/l/legalresponsibilities/default.aspx
There are also byelaws regarding noise and if a dog’s barking causes a serious nuisance to neighbours, then local authorities can serve a noise abatement notice and also serve fines on dog owners. Detailed information and a downloadable booklet regarding this noise nuisance can be found on the Department of Environment website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/22/pb10561-
The Kennel Club works to promote and protect the general welfare of all dogs in the UK, saying it wants happy, healthy dogs, living long lives with responsible owners. The Kennel club can be contacted via phone on 0844 463 3980 from 9am to 5pm & their website at:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/responsibledogownership
The City of London Corporation, who own Riddlesdown Common, also have a 24 hour emergency number at 01372 279488 (or can be contacted generally at 01372 279083) and have information on their website relating to walking on Riddlesdown Common and responsible dog walking – see http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-
Local charity Croydon Animal Samaritans have a local helpline manned between 12 noon and 6pm on 020 8644 8829. This local charity has been helping and rescuing animals since 1974. Further details can be found on their website at:
http://www.croydonanimalsamaritans.co.uk/