Fine for man who allowed dogs to chase ducks in Richmond Park (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)
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Fine for man who allowed dogs to chase ducks in Richmond Park
6:00am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Amy Dyduch
Quackers: Park managers stressed the importance of animal safety
A dog owner has been ordered to pay £315 after allowing five dogs to chase ducks in Richmond Park.
Christian Ferree, 39, was convicted at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on August 30, after his dogs chased waterfowl as they ran by the water at Pen Ponds on May 1.
No waterfowl were injured during the incident but there were signs around the ponds which state dogs must be kept on their leads.
Simon Richards, Richmond Park manager, said the conviction of Mr Ferree had been welcomed by the park team.
He said: “It reinforces that the breach of Royal Parks’ regulations is a serious matter. The park regulations are in place to protect the land, wildlife and the enjoyment of more than 2m visitors a year. It is a delicate balance which the Royal Parks manages very carefully.”
Police Sergeant Michael Boulton, part of the police’s safer parks team, warned that breaking park regulations was dangerous.
He said: “It is important to observe warning signs. This conviction makes clear to visitors who may not be familiar with the park that a breach of park regulations is a criminal offence, endangering wildlife and public safety. Each year we see several incidents of irresponsible dog ownership.
“This latest conviction demonstrates our commitment to dealing with this unnecessary problem.”
Comments(9)
fedup58
says...
1:37pm Wed 19 Sep 12
elyobelyob
says...
3:25pm Wed 19 Sep 12
I believe the owner of Fenton was spoken to by the police, yes. I don't know, but perhaps the fact that he was tracked down, dragged through the Daily Mail etc, was punishment enough.
New Malden Man
says...
12:51pm Thu 20 Sep 12
kingstonpaul wrote:Put some lights on your bike. There are still other people using the park after the gates shut.
Reminds me of an instance last year when I was patronisingly reprimanded by Royal Parks plod for cycling on the road without lights, well after the Park gates had closed to car traffic. So, dog called Fenton chases deer in the Park. Film of frantic owner chasing after dog just happens to be filmed by some guy on his camera. Video posted on YouTube. Goes viral as millions of people worldwide view the footage. Fenton and owner acquire cult status. Remind me, did Fenton's owner get fined?
Sparkythecat
says...
3:22pm Thu 20 Sep 12
I always find it strange that people assume that 'rules' are made for everyone else but them.
kingstonpaul
says...
1:58pm Fri 21 Sep 12
So you upholders of the law, any advice for the next time I go night-time nude swimming at Pen Ponds?
ruggabugga
says...
5:33pm Fri 21 Sep 12
you will probably be arrested for waterfowling!
you may also be fined for cycling in an unauthorised area - if the new signs are to be believed.
Sparkythecat
says...
5:52pm Fri 21 Sep 12
elyobelyob
says...
9:39am Mon 24 Sep 12
kingstonpaul wrote:"So you upholders of the law, any advice for the next time I go night-time nude swimming at Pen Ponds?"
To all my detractors, yes, yes, yes you tedious lot, rules is rules. I actually like to think that a grown adult is allowed to be able to cycle through a beautiful local amenity closed to cars, having made a judgement call about the risk to himself and others by not having lights. Hey, wouldn't llife be a bit dull if we couldn't occasionally escape the clutches of the rulemakers and jobsworths?
So you upholders of the law, any advice for the next time I go night-time nude swimming at Pen Ponds?
Turn your lights off then please.
kingstonpaul says...
1:18pm Wed 19 Sep 12
So, dog called Fenton chases deer in the Park. Film of frantic owner chasing after dog just happens to be filmed by some guy on his camera. Video posted on YouTube. Goes viral as millions of people worldwide view the footage. Fenton and owner acquire cult status. Remind me, did Fenton's owner get fined?