A Cupar woman has hit out at irresponsible dog walkers who have “trashed” her garden and that of an elderly neighbour.
Caroline Paterson, who lives in Edenbank Road, said irresponsible owners were allowing their animals to “run amok” into homes, gardens, the landscaped area at the rear of the houses and into the River Eden while harassing swans, geese and ducks and other wildlife.
“Where there is a small minority of responsible dog walkers who walk their dogs in the park between Edenbank Road and the River Eden, there is a large majority of irresponsible dog walkers who congregate and let their dogs run amok,” she said.
Mrs Paterson said her 88-year-old neighbour has had his home, garden and koi fish pond “trashed” by dogs and their owners trying to retrieve their dogs.
She said she has had her plants, terracotta pots and fencing damaged by dogs at a cost of more than £100 and has had to replace a damaged fence three times.
She added: “My niece was feeding ducks in my garden when a pack of dogs descended into my garden, fighting over the ducks. I managed to drag my niece indoors and thankfully she was not bitten.
“When owners are asked to remove dogs from homes and gardens, we are met with a torrent of foul language and abuse.”
Mrs Paterson said that on Sunday December 21 she had to call the police because an elderly man tried to kick her fence down, trampled on her plants and threw dog faeces into her garden.
She said this happened because she asked him to keep his dog out of her garden, asked him to keep his dog under control, and asked him to clear up the dogs faeces from her garden.
She added: “These individuals are not young, careless dog owners these individuals are in the 30, 40, 50, 60-plus age group and they feel they have a God-given right to allow their dogs off the lead, free to roam and damage and defecate where they please.”
Mrs Paterson said she reported this to the three local Fife councillors.
SNP councillor Karen Marjoram responded and asked dog wardens and enforcement officers to become involved.
Mrs Paterson said a solution to the problem would be a dedicated dog walking area, away from the general public somewhere in Cupar.
Mrs Marjoram said: “I have again been in touch with the enforcement officer and have had it confirmed that they have already issued one fixed penalty and are progressing towards another. They have arranged to set up joint patrols along with the dog wardens of the area in the meantime.
“I also spoke to the administration spokesperson for environmental issues and he is intending to issue a press release very soon regarding enforcing the fines for dog-related issues across Fife.
“I hope this will send out a clear message to the minority of dog owners that cause problems, that it’s not acceptable to disrupt other people’s lives by not properly controlling their dogs.
“I will be taking the idea of a dog walking area to the next meeting I have with the other two ward councillors, to see how that can be progressed.”