WHY do so many dog owners feel it is acceptable to let dogs roam around off leads, many large and boisterous, with no thought for other park users?

Although a local resident, I now rarely venture into Monkton Park unless absolutely necessary.

I have been regularly confronted by people ‘exercising’ dogs, many with two or more dogs and with no control over them.

Dogs vanish out of sight ‘chasing squirrels’; one was seen haring along ahead of its owner who was on a bike and someone on a mobility scooter regularly holds court with other owners while half a dozen dogs mill around ignored and excitable. These are just a few examples of an everyday occurrence where dogs are not under control and there is always the thorny problem of picking up dog mess if no-one is aware of what the dog is doing.

It’s time for the council to bring in a ‘dogs on leads’ by-law. Apparently when this has been suggested before there has been a huge outcry.

What about an outcry from those people, often elderly, who have to dodge around these unruly animals or try to avoid a small dog yapping at their ankles? What about small children confronted by, in one instance, two large and shaggy Alsatians? ‘They won’t hurt you’, comes the cry. This is not much consolation to toddlers now frightened at the sight of any dog.

There are now far more dogs being taken into the park and this is an increasing problem affecting everyone’s enjoyment of a very nice area.

There is a large expanse of open ground on the other side of the golf course much more suitable for exercising exuberant dogs and this should be encouraged.

It’s time for dog owners to be made more aware of their responsibilities and return this park to a pleasant place for all to visit and enjoy.

A CONCERNED RESIDENT Chippenham