Hastings dachshund owner calls for all dogs to be kept on leads

Michael Sheridan, of Bexhill Road, has twice had to pick up his six-month-old sausage dog in Grosvenor Gardens because of lead-less dogs terrorising his pet.

Zachariah the dachshund, or Zac, was left psychologically bruised by the bigger dogs and Mr Sheridan believes more should be done to make sure owners are responsible.

“People need to keep their dogs on leads so they can control them,” he said.

“It’s just not fair, Zac’s so afraid of dogs now because this has happened quite regularly and he’s traumatised, he doesn’t want to go out for his walk.

“It’s just not right, I think every dog should be on a lead.”

Mr Sheridan and his partner Trevor Boorman regularly take Zac on walks from their home along the seafront and around Grosvenor Gardens.

But the couple often have to pick their puppy up or take care due to bigger pooches off the lead attacking or bullying Zac.

The final straw was on Thursday morning (June 9), when Zac was so scared by other dogs that he could not control his bowels.

“This morning was very bad, I had to pick my puppy up,” Mr Sheridan said.

“He was so traumatised and he pooed and it went all over me, it’s just not right or fair.”

Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times on the seafront but there are no rules for Grosvenor Gardens.

Mr Sheridan believes the council should do more to enforce the rules and force all dog owners to keep their pets on leads so smaller dogs are not hurt.

“I think they should have signs up and it should be mandatory that every dog should be on a lead,” he said.

“It’s quite scary for a little puppy of six months to be out there in the tough world of dogs when he’s getting attacked and pushed over.”

Hastings Borough Council (HBC) and police can take action against irresponsible dog owners to control their pets in any public space.

“If we are given details and times of dogs out of control in our parks, gardens and open spaces then we could get our rangers to attend, however it is difficult to be in the right place at the right time,” a HBC spokesman said.

“We are not aware of any issues being raised in respect of irresponsible dog owners or dogs out of control in Grosvenor Gardens.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.