Commons Council calls for dogs to stay on lead
DOGS should no longer run off the lead on L’Ancresse Common after what the Vale Commons Council has claimed is a spate of attacks and aggressive behaviour from animals.
The council, which looks after the area, said it had received an increased number of complaints about uncontrolled dogs harassing people, livestock and pets. But its new approach is voluntary.
They said while some dogs are being ‘enthusiastically friendly and mean no harm’ it can be frightening to those who are uncomfortable around dogs.
‘Under the law, dogs must be kept under control at all times in a public place. This means they should have immediate, reliable recall. The increasing number of dogs off leads has also led to an increase in fouling across the common, due to dogs being out of sight of their owners,’ said a spokesman for the council.
Guidance was already in place from the States Vet, posted on the Vale Commons Council website, to keep dogs on a lead if owners had little control over them. The council felt it had to make a further move.
‘It is the council’s responsibility to ensure that the commons can be enjoyed safely by all. In light of these reports, and before there is a serious incident where someone is badly injured, the council are now asking all dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead while on the commons.’
However the ruling is advisory and voluntary, though the council hopes it will be widely followed.
Dogs are required to be kept on a lead at a number of other destinations island-wide, including Cambridge Park, children’s play areas and La Vallette bathing pools.
L’Ancresse and Pembroke are among the beaches that are off limits for dogs during the summer months.
The council has made a number of other moves in recent years to control dogs, including spraying dog mess with fluorescent blue paint, and in 2019, a suggestion was made at the council meeting to make commercial dog walkers pay to use the common following attacks on sheep and complaints about dogs on the land.
Vale Commons facts
The commons are the largest area of land available for recreation and open to the public, comprising approximately 740 vergees in all.
They run from the Vale Church in the west to Beaucette in the east.
They are controlled by a five-strong voluntary council under a 1972 ordinance.
Two of the members must be Vale douzeniers.
