Can someone tell me exactly where the dogs on lead rule on Canaan way is applicable.
I have been told that it applies to the leets and the path behind the factory as well but there are no signs to back this up. The only signs are as you enter the park via the bridge over the leets.

hi... i have a twelve week old puppy bullmastiff . does anybody know of any puppy traing and obediance classes that are run in ottery or near by that are good? xx

Doing a great job I'm right behind you all the way!
Lindy
The Travellin' Pet Shop~delivering direct to your paw!
thetps1@tiscali.co.uk
http://thetravellinpetshop.vpweb.co.uk/defaul ... .html

Hello does anyone want dog walking or babysitting because charlotte is looking for a bit of extra money please just leave me a message thank you.

Message from WL: I was really impressed by the commitment and passion for your community spaces. I think you are all an example to others,,........

Lets keep up the positive focus guys

Following our meeting last night, are there any foot soldiers who can volunteer to help with distribution over the next few days? Prob the best thing to do is to let me know the roads you would be able to cover...... Thanks all

Hi my name is Clarke and i run Superdog Services in Exeter. I would love to help and show my support in any way I can.

After meeting Mel in a pet store the other day I have heard about the problems you guys are having and I must say it is as if they are taking away a human right!!! One which can for some people bring more joy than any other single daily act of life...

If this goes through the council will actually be lowering quality of life!! There must be someone that knows someone in the right department to get this idea thrown out...

If there is anything i can do please contact me .
I look forward to seeing this campaign succeed.

clarke@superdogservices.co.uk

There are so many issues here that have not been openly discussed by OTC or taken into consideration. Dogs, cats and other pets are an important part of our familes, teaching our children valuable lessons in love and caring for others. I feel it is vital that children continue to enjoy the freedom to play with their family pets, in a clean and secure environment, as they currently do. The park at Winter's Lane is exceptionally clean and free of dogs mess. This is frequently commented on by a number of people, local scout leaders, football club leaders and users of the park generally. I see numerous families using the park together - with children young and old enjoying a wonderful game of football or ball with their family pets. I also hate it when my pushchair wheels get poo on them from walking in the streets of Ottery. The park at Winters Lane is not an issue, but the streets and some footpaths of Ottery are - the Council appears to have ignored this fact, and is scapegoating this recreational area. But these recommendations are not based on facts, or the evidence of where there is a problem.

What we really need is a Council that uses evidence in its decision making, and supports the dog owners of Ottery to make a difference across the town for the good of all the community.

Come on OTC. You are our elected representatives. Please take an evidence based and logical approach and respond to the needs of your community. Please do not continue to make your decisions in private, ignoring the views of those concerned - there is a lot of valuable community spirit developing that you could be harnessing for the good of Ottery as a whole. Please do not take an adversarial stance on an issue that you could use to improve Ottery for all.....

We are daily users of the park at Canaan Way, my dog loves to run and chase his ball and socialise with other doggies. Also part of our daily routine is meeting elderly members of the community whom I see daily and if I don;t see them I begin to worry and ask other regular walkers if they have seen them, just to be sure they are safe! In addition I meet many families with buggies who are unable to take their dog to the river as the paths and stiles are not buggy friendly, this also goes for my friends who used mobility scooters and other such aids. Their only option is to let their beloved pets off for a run in the park. If our town council want to change the use of the park, perhaps they should help to inforce a drinking and drug taking ban, the prevention of children over 15 from the children's play area, a review by East Devon District Council of the use of private contactors for maintenance of the Mill Leat (who leave dangerous slurry along the paths, despite being reported for this last year and causing a fall). Despite my angry rantings, I really feel that people who let their dogs foul are in a minority and 99% of people are extremely responsible, surely the Town Council should be supporting people like us to reinforce 'pick ups' as a community and not punish the majority. Mel, Keith and Dude

I like the simple life - gardening, dog walking and fishing the last thing I want to get involved with is local politics. However the motivation for developing an informal group around the issue of Winter's lane field is more than about dog walking and a field - it is about how local decisions are made by the Town Council and how we respond to them. When we got wind of what the Council was planning we got a petition up and wrote to them but they had already made up their minds. We religiously keep the field free of dog mess but that is not good enough for The Town Council - they want a field that is totally devoid of all potential pathogens. This is an unreasonable and unbalenced view, particularly as the DEFRA guidance states clearly that any dog control orders should be based on a balanced consideration of the issues. Elderly people and lone women rely on the safety the field provides particularly early in the morning and on dark winter evenings. The final decision will rest with East Devon District Council who eill have to consult on the matter so we need everybody to respond to that consultation which will be advertised in the press. Adrian

I am appalled that the council can even consider banning dogs on the winter's lane field. It is the only enclosed area in the town that a dog can safely be let off lead for a good run. If a ban goes ahead it will mean dog owners having to do extra car journeys everyday just to give the dog a run......surely not good for the environment!

Just joined to give our support for the local field. We need somewhere safe for our four legged friends and ourselves to play and let our hair down. Local council take note, we will not go quietly!!!!!

I really value the park at Winters Lane and do not know how I will cope or where I will go if it is closed to us. I always clear up after my dog, I feel safe and secure even during winter months, PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE THIS TO US...