Dog walkers fear park ban is coming
Plans to build a children's play area in a popular dog-walking area have been criticised by pet owners.
They fear the proposed play area in the grounds of St James' Hospital in Portsmouth will force them away from the spot.
To appease protests from dog-walkers, the city council says dogs will still be allowed in the enclosed area after the play area is built at the hospital in Locksway Road, Milton.
But dog owners fear it won't be long before an excited dog jumps up on a child, leading to a ban on animals being exercised there.
Kim Davies, 43, of Locksway Road, Milton, takes her two-year-old West Highland terrier Milli to the green every day.
She said: 'We know it is common ground and we're not saying it's ours, but we are concerned about children being jumped up on by an excited dog.
'We'll get the situation where dogs will have to be kept on a lead and the next step will probably be to ban them altogether.'
Sandra Marshall, 63 of Festing Road, Southsea, who takes her two-year-old retriever Poppy to the green daily, added: 'It's a disaster waiting to happen.'
Bob Kent, 60, who owns seven-month-old cocker spaniel Pebbles, said: 'The council can't say kids and dogs will be able to mix without a problem, it just won't happen.'
Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council and a Milton ward councillor, said open spaces were there for all members of the community. 'There are no plans to ban dog walkers. We feel the space can be shared by children and responsible dog owners.
'This is an important opportunity to give young people something constructive to do as well as encouraging nature to thrive with the introduction of bat and bird boxes.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
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