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Dog walkers are being asked to keep their animals on a lead while on the Vale commons.
The Vale Commons Council announced its new voluntary scheme this morning and pledged that it would "make the commons safer for all".
The Council said it was issuing its request following numerous complaints about the behaviour of dogs not on leads and "before there is a serious incident where someone is badly injured".
Pictured: The Vale Commons Council hopes that a voluntary scheme will be enough for dog owners and walkers to keep dogs on leads at all times.
"The Council is responsible for the regulation and supervision of the commons as a place of public recreation and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the area," it said.
"The Council has been receiving increasing reports of uncontrolled dogs on the commons. This has led to a number of complaints about dog attacks or causing nuisance to others, their pets and livestock.
"Whilst some dogs are being no more than enthusiastically friendly and mean no harm, this can be an unwelcome greeting and frightening to those who are uncomfortable or scared of dogs.
"The increasing number of dogs off leads has also led to an increase in fouling across the commons due to dogs being out of sight of their owners. It is the Council’s responsibility to ensure that the commons can be enjoyed safely by all."
Pictured: There have been increasing reports of dogs off leads behaving unreasonably on the commons.
The Council said the law required dogs to be kept under control in public places. "This means they should have immediate, reliable recall," it said.
"This is a voluntary scheme, for the benefit of all, that we hope will be widely accepted and adhered to," said the Council.
"The Council wishes to thank those who walk their dogs on the commons in advance for their cooperation."
The Vale commons, pictured top, are the largest area of land available for recreation and open to the public. In total, the commons comprise approximately 740 vergees running from the Vale Church in the west to Beaucette in the east.
The Council is made up of five members, all of whom must be 'Habitants' , meaning that they live in the Clos du Valle, the northern part of the Vale, and they are elected by Habitants only.
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