Dogs
Not sure what the rules say, but a couple just pitched up next to us with one dog that is so beautiful that I want to kiss it, and another dog that looks like it wants nothing else in life than to immediately eat me alive.
Ive briefly searched the internet for images of what type of dog it is, but the nearest thing I can come up with is an American Pitbull, which it is probably related too, but not the actual breed.
The querie I have is, having seen this thing mooching about, it is on an approximate 50 meter length of lead that is anchored to the ground about 5 metres from our van. It could easily reach people 2 pitches either side of where its lead is nailed into the ground.
Doesn't make sense. Surely owners of any animal must keep them within the boundaries of their own pitch?
In fairness, it shouldn't matter what kind of animal you bring with you - my wife has a phobia with birds, so if you bring your pet parrot or kestrel with you, I would think it reasonable to keep it on a tether that was within the boundaries of your pitch.
I've just held off posting this as we are on a site with lots of pets, so I had a walk round and estimated how many dogs were on pitches with tethers that looked like they might not be able to reach their neighbours, and the answer is very few.
It must be very difficult bringing your pet with you, or having to bring your pet with you and then expect it to be restrained within a small boundary.
Are there any actual rules/ guidance about letting pets gain access to other pitches?
I really don't mind nice humans walking through my alloted space, but, owners of beasts of dubious DNA heritage should fully understand that it is not in anyway safe for their creature to be allowed access to other people's spaces, especially when they disappear inside their caravan and close door and leave the pooch to wander about unmonitored.
The owners of this particular dog were very accommodating to our suggestions that a smaller tether would prevent any problems, but looking at the amount of other dogs on long leads, should it be made clearer to pet owner's what tolerances are allowed - if there are any?
Comments
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Max length of tether/lead is 2m and dangerous breeds are not allowed.
See -
And rule 12 -
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-sites/club-campsites/club-site-rules/
If you spot a breach of any rule, you need to make the wardens aware for the safety and comfort of all. If the wardens fail to act, try to get photos if possible and definitely report the issue to club HQ.
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@CREWofTWO Yes there are rules and really you should go to see the wardens for them to assess the situation, assuming this is a club site.
Rules here number 12
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Sorry cross posted with @Tinwheeler.
As we have both said only the wardens can help you as they are on site and can take this forward.
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the problem is that this ignoring of the rules is so commonplace that it seems a blind eye is turned. My understanding that the 2m lead applies to when the dog is being walked as well as tethered. But although we stay on very few club sites we always see dogs being walked on those extendable leads at much more than 2 m. So the dog frequently wanders onto other pitches.
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Thanks for the replies. We have visited at least 12 sites in the last few months and I can't think of a single occasion where a dog owner kept its dog tethered by the van with a 2m leash.
To be honest, that seems cruel and if it is a rule, then perhaps it needs reviewing - there's no point having a rule that nobody keeps to and is cruel to an animal?
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@CREWofTWO That rule has been in place for as long as I can remember, many years I would say.
With the numerous, countless, members staying with dogs on club sites down the years if the rule was deemed to be cruel by their owners then it would have been changed by now and/or someone would have posted about it, or even stop using club sites. I would let dog owners write in if they think so.
But far more importantly did you bring your concerns about 50m leads and a possible dangerous breed on asite to the attention of the wardens? Was this serious matter resolved?
I'm not sure if the 2m rule applies on a pitch?
Please keep your dog on a lead less than 2m long at all times when on our campsite (other than in a designated free roaming Black Horse Farm Club Campsite, Kent area). If tethered on your pitch, please ensure that your dog cannot reach the road or your neighbour’s pitch
(btw did you really mean 50 meters?)
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Talk to the Staff/ Owners of the site, you know this is the most sensible thing to do, and if it’s a Club Site, it is what is always recommended, rather than putting a post on CT, which achieves nothing.
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I would love the club to bring in a rule that stops the use of extending leads. They are a true menace! It not only allows dogs of all sizes to wander unchecked onto pitches, whether they are occupied or not, but if the spring within the handle gives way, the owner has no means of control. Many times we’ve witnessed, and been the victim of, dogs out of their owners control because they have been allowed to extend beyond the owners ability to retract the lead in time 😤
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