Inconsiderate dog owners on Parkland Walk

I specifically chosen this category (and not "pets") to post to hopefully reach more people.

There is a part of Parkland Walk that is quite open, right in the middle between Upper Tollington Park and Stapleton Hall Roads. It is wider then the rest and there is no so much bramble etc on either side.

There are some dog owners that do not keep their dogs on the path but purposely throw balls for their dogs all the way down (about 3 storeys high as the path is about the level of 3 storeys houses below), right behind back fences where foxes live, have their babies now and also where a lot of cats living in the area go for their walks.

There is absolutely no need to throw the balls for dogs from the top all the way down. This is dangerous for foxes and cats and also dangerous for the dogs as this is quite a steep slope with a lot of rubbish along the way, sharp objects etc.

I did ask someone once to please stop throwing a ball for his dog right behind my fence (I also have a dog and 4 cats, and foxes coming) but the effect is such that he keeps on doing that AND now they are bringing 2 dogs and throwing balls for them both right at my fence, from the top of the path.

There is no way I could get over the fence from my side if anything happened to my cats, there is no way any of the dog owners could run down if  anything happened either. But I doubt they would want to as they are clearly doing this on purpose. 

I am not saying the dogs are aggressive, this is not a point. The point is they are 2 large dogs and owners have no control over them when they are running behind fences all the way down. And as dogs, if they see a fox or a cat they will chase and can hurt/kill.

I am dreading the time that I may hear one of my cats or foxes screaming at the back of the fence and I am unable to get to them fast to rescue them. And this will happen as the people I am writing about are clearly doing this on purpose - despite being asked not to, they do not only continue but now come with 2 dogs and do the same.

I am not going to publicly post the breed and names of both dogs - I hope t have this situation resolved, I am not looking for arguments with anyone. I am just going to say the first dog has a male owner and the second dog has female owner and both dogs are the same breed but slightly different shade of the same colour. Classed as large dogs. The times when I know they are doing what I described above is evening between 5pm and 8pm. Perhaps day time too, I have no idea as I am not always at home.

I do know both dog's names (as owners shout to them to ring the balls when they throw those) and I have a video of them but as I said I am hoping for the owners to understand this is not a "turf war" but a genuine concern from my side.

So, a favour to ask here - if you know anyone who walks their dogs on Parkland Walk between Upper Tollington Park and Stapleton Hall Roads - PLEASE ask them not to throw a ball for their dogs down either side. Please tell them there are cats and foxes living here and if they are dog lovers - perhaps they can extend some courtesy to other animals and stop putting them at risk by forcing their 2 large dogs to run 3 storeys down a steep slope to right behind the fences.

And if you walk there yourself and see anyone doing it - please do mention the above to them too.

Thank you