Uncontrolled dogs.

newbayboy
newbayboy Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited August 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Increasingly, we see dogs left unattended to wander around the site.  On this holiday alone we have seen four. What is it with some members? Do they think the rules are optional or do they think they have special rights?  When I got up this morning there was a dog on our pitch, doing what dogs do, whilst it's owner was filling his water container. I don't mind dogs but I definitely object to idiots thinking it is OK for their pet to soil my pitch and possibly my caravan. Yes, I can complain to the poor wardens but it shouldn't be necessary to burden them with the problem. Doubtless my observation will incense some to claim it is an infringement of their human rights or some other such nonsense but I don't care. The offenders need to change their attitude or be thrown out of the Club.

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Comments

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited August 2017 #3

    I am with you all the way,all dog should be on a lead when on site but there are a few owners out there think they shouldn't put there's on one . They say my dog doesn't need a lead also open the caravan door early morning and let them do what they have to. I am not against dogs it is the owner's and before you say yes I own a dog .

     

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited August 2017 #4

    Rocky you got the owner's in before me.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #5

    also open the caravan door early morning and let them do what they have to.

    I think that most early risers will have seen this. I am usually up before 6.30 and I have seen this a number of times. No, I have never reported it.

  • BrianJosie
    BrianJosie Forum Participant Posts: 391
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    edited August 2017 #7

    we are dog lovers but not owners and the reason for that is that we just dont have the time with our workload to devote to a pet.And the number of irresponcible owners on different sites just beggars belief.It should be dogs on a lead on site at all times with zero tollerence from the club.

    Brian & Jo

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #9

    As adog owner myself, I can only agree with all the responses above. The rules are absolutely clear and if folk won't or can't abide by them then the privilege of using club sites should be withdrawn. But the only way that will happen is if the culprits are reported to the wardens at the time. I don't necessarly expect them to get into a confrontation there and then but they can pass the details on to HQ for further action. Reported once gets a warning ( to avoid any "oh no I didn't, it wasn't me" nonsense), but a repeated reported results in suspension.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #10

    I think the rest of you have said it all and I don't think anyone on here will support irresponsible dog owners.

    NBB, It is best to raise the issue there and then with the owner and/or site warden and I'm glad you did this. Some people come on here after the event, having done nothing at the time. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #11

    you must all go to different sites from me. I've yet to see a dog wandering around a site on its own.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,198 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #12

    I have occasionally seen a dog off the lead on site BUT it was close at heel and not running loose.  Still against the rules! So I can only concur with MollysMummy about the frequency but that said I don't spend much time on site.

    I agree with moulesy - report to warden who can have a word. All members details will be with reception as we have to tell them our pitch number 😉. If it could get confrontational the discussion needed be taken further by the warden. Report all incidents with ?response to warden's raising the matter? assume reasonable unless noted otherwise to HQ for warning email and further infringement results in cancellation of membership, easy as late cancellations. BUT there must be a will to enforce the rules, would that be the weak link? Could even have a proforma form for completion making it a simple task with all the info needed by HQ.

    It is not the dogs fault but the person(s) in charge of the dog.

    Edit These days many of us carry mobile phones capable of taking photos so easy enough to gather your evidence 😉

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #13

    Agree with what you say Bakers. I have never seen a dog loose on its own on a Club Site, the odd one beside its owner off a lead, which is still against the rules. Having said that, we never venture onto Club Sites during busy periods, and the law of averages indicates there will be a higher chance of someone staying who doesn't follow the rules. Don't let them get away with it, either politely challenge, report it, great if you can photograph it, but ultimately HQ needs to back up Wardens.

    We recently stayed on a smashing private site/CL, lots of dogs there, but the site had a lovely dog walk provided by the owners, signs up saying where dogs could be off lead, where they had to be clipped back on, pick up poo, etc... The owners had a zero tolerance to anyone who didn't abide by these simple clear requests, and without doubt would have asked anyone not following them to leave. But it wasn't needed, never saw a dog off lead or tie up, no signs of any poo left. The site was a delight to be on, no stress, no bad behaviour, very peaceful, despite a good few dogs being there

  • IanBHawkes
    IanBHawkes Forum Participant Posts: 212
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    edited August 2017 #14

    I have been on a Club site where a dog was allowed by its owner to wander, it ran off and attacked another dog and bit the other dog's owner when he tried to get it off. The dog owner couldn't understand why he was asked to leave the site, he got very angry with the warden for having the audacity to ask him to leave and the warden told him that he was being reported to head office. The police were also called and duly arrived to sort things out.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #15

    I have not seen any increase in the number of dog owners who ignore the rules regarding their pets. Likewise all the other "rule" breakers on sites that occasionally irritate me. I'm sharing a site, big or small with Joe Public and just like at home I see the same types of behaviour good and not so good

    If it really is bad report it,  just as you would elsewhere if it is affecting your holiday or your home life.

    The only thing I think is missing is the awareness of the club about dog occupancy per visitor. I feel the wardens should be aware of each van and how many dogs per van. I've no objection to the actual number just the whereabouts of dogs and their owners. Speaking as a responsible dog owner myself.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #16

    I do find it strange that they don't ask about dog numbers as well brue, again, not as any kind of bar to being on site with pets, more from a market research perspective. Every time we take our dogs into an NT property, (the ones that are staffed)  they are counted in. Other places as well.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2017 #17

    More of a problem generally. North Wales police will show 80+ uncontr olled dogs shot already this year.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #18

    I think the link there Fish is to sheep mainly? Don't disagree it is a growing problem, similar in that you have folks visiting places and not understanding that their behaviour can directly impact on others. 

     

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #19

    I've certainly seen folks in PJs letting rover out to relieve its self whilst the owner puts the kettle on. Usually before 6.30am, Maybe you haven't got the blinds open then?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #20

    @ Brue.The only thing I think is missing is the awareness of the club about dog occupancy per visitor. I feel the wardens should be aware of each van and how many dogs per van. I've no objection to the actual number just the whereabouts of dogs and their owners. Speaking as a responsible dog owner myself.

    Are we implanting GPS trackers too while were at it?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #21

    Thank god they're in PJs surprised

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #22

    Well I assume they are in PJs as don't normally see more than come out from behind a half open door.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited August 2017 #23

    Can I add a moan about dogs being left alone in 'vans to bark and cry?

    On the other hand, our 'dog' is a model of decorum!

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #24

    and then others have something to say when they're tied up outside toilet blocks waiting for their owners ..... innocent

    But I could have agreed with you recently at Morton in Marsh when some little yappy things were left alone. You only needed to be on the same side of the site as them & it set them off yapping. yell

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #25

    But why the groan, et? I thought you didn't use club sites?!! wink

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #26

    True, and it's one of the reasons we stopped using Club sites - just far too many dogs for my liking. I remember one day at Godrevy when the warden sighed and said We have more dogs on the site than people. 

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited August 2017 #27

    As I see it, there is a higher ratio of dogs to people than for example on the average street. Caravaning is chosen by dog owners as a holidaying method that allows pets to be taken along. Add to that some commercial sites charging for or limiting the number per unit, then club sites become more attractive I would assume. Great for dog lovers and owners, but possibly not so for those who are not so minded.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #28

    Ho ho ho......just taken a look at the news online. A cinema in London is holding special "take your dog along" screenings, every few weeks. 

    Guaranteed to cause apoplexy to some! Sounds like a good idea to me, the last two times we have been to cinema I had to ask a grown adult to " please shut up!" Should be more peaceful with dogs!laughing

     

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited August 2017 #29

    We have only used a couple, of club sites this year, but we were at Stamford a couple of weeks ago which is a very popular site for dogs, there were lots, none that we saw were left to wander around the site, there was some occasional barking yes but there were a lot of dogs. 

    In all the years we have been caravanning I have only had to report one owner to a warden who had a quiet word and problem solved.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #30

    Now here is an an observation, recently, on a commercial site (dogs charged for) and with obvious notices around site 'reminding' dog owners of their obligations and consequences if ignored, not one unattended, not one off lead or tether, not one left alone in van day or night (yes, that was a stipulation) and no mess seen anywhere. 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,198 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #31

    Until the club start keeping records of numbers of dogs on site this can only be an anecdotal comment. When/if the club ever do collect the information, if only for statistical purposes, will such comments (if the info is ever shared 😉) be able to judged. The warden's perception may well be correct. Given that lots of people caravan/motorhome because of pets I would expect there to be a high proportion of dogs on site. 

    What this should mean is that the rules about dogs are strictly adhered too and that there is back up from HQ and sanctions if warranted. I'm surprised the club haven't looked at the revenue stream 😉.