Dog owners urged to keep pets under control after series of ‘attacks’ on Wrexham field

Dog owners have been urged to keep their pets under control after a series of attacks on the same field in Wrexham.

A community leader has highlighted several cases where dogs have been let off their leads and acted aggressively towards other animals on an area of green space in Rhosnesni, known locally as the Spider Park.

It also follows reports of two dogs being mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier in a nearby area of the county over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The attacks have occurred despite Wrexham Council asking all pet owners to keep their animals on leads during the coronavirus pandemic to reduce the chances of social distancing rules being broken.

Local councillor Mike Davies is now calling on members of the public to observe the guidance or risk being fined.

He said: “I have heard of a number of occasions when dogs off leads have attacked other dogs on the Spider Park field.

“Fortunately, no serious injuries have occurred, unlike some other recently reported incidents nearby.

“But it has necessitated dog owners breaking social distancing rules whilst the dogs have been separated.

“I want to remind residents about recent rules introduced keeping dogs on leads in certain areas. This is for the protection of all people with or without dogs.

“Also, it is not allowed for dogs to pass onto a marked sports pitch.”

He added: “I am aware that some people have actually been fined £75 for allowing their dogs to cross onto the football pitches on that field.

“Please be considerate to walkers and other dog owners in these very trying times.”

In a separate incident, a woman shared an appeal on Facebook after her two dogs were attacked on a public footpath by a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Ashleigh Davies said the incident took place on a path leading between Gresford and Borras on Sunday.

She said: “It (the dog) wasn’t on a lead and came running towards the dogs attacking Rizzle first then had Shay.
“It was big and with a group of five lads, four of them ran off, the last one grabbed the dog and then ran off.

“They ran towards Borras way.”

She is asking anyone with information on the identity of the dog’s owner to come forward.

Ms Davies said she had reported the matter to police, but when contacted for comment, a spokesperson for North Wales Police said such attacks were civil matters.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)