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Parents launch petition after rise in dog attacks

19/ 3/2008

CONCERNED parents in Whalley Range, Manchester have launched a petition to ban dogs from being let off their leads in Manley Park.

The move comes after a number of attacks on children by dogs who have been allowed off their leads. In the latest incident a young child needed treatment after being bitten on the hand by a dog.

So far 350 people have signed the petition and many parents have revealed they are now too afraid to take their children to the park.

The only section of the park that has a total ban on dogs being let off their leashes is the children’s play area.

Amina Lone of Lonsdale Road, Levenshulme, takes her young children to Manley Park every week.

She said: "These dogs are terrorising young children and we have all been very lucky that the kids who have been involved in the attacks so far have escaped with just minor injuries. It’s mainly teenagers who take their dogs to the park and the majority of them just can’t keep control over their dogs.

"We want something to be done about this, and quickly. We are campaigning for a total ban on dogs being let off their leads within the whole of the park."

The petition – for which campaigners have gathered signatures from a number of groups, including the Friends of Manley Park – has now been handed to over to leader of the council, Sir Richard Leese and Councillor Mike Kane, executive member for arts and leisure for their consideration. The parents have been promised an urgent response to their petition by Sir Richard Leese.

Mrs Lone said: "We eagerly await the council’s response over this very important issue which is affecting the whole of the community."