Dog problem on towpath (Updated)

I thought you might be interested in a situation I found myself in on Tuesday this week (30th April 2013). I was walking down the towpath away from the village and just beyond Lock 15 I was confronted by four aggressive dogs which obviously belong to a boat moored there.

It is quite an unmistakable vessel, with a canoe and a lot of possessions and debris scattered on the towpath. The dogs were very aggressive and barking loudly at me and as I tried to pass the boat and the strewn articles, two of the dogs bit me, one on my wrist and one on my ankle.

Despite the noise, the boat owner didn't do anything to stop their attack and it was only when I was a long way from the vessel that he called them to him.

The experience was very distressing for me and now instead of walking to work, I have to drive into the village which is not what I would chose to do given the superb location that Audlem is plus the fantastic weather we are now having.

I informed the Police station at Crewe who arranged to meet me at 08:00 hrs the following day to identify the boat concerned. However, they didnt turn up and after an hour's waiting I had to continue with my working day.

The police did phone at 09:00 and said they would visit the owner.

(Updated information 8.50am today) The Police have made contact with me and, credit where credit is due, they have taken my complaint very seriously, have visited the person concerned and have warned him that the situation is unacceptable and must be remedied, ie dogs to be under control on leads or muzzled. The incident has also been registered with the police dogbite department in case it is repeated.

I thought you should be made aware of the potential danger as this boat is moored in an unrestricted area, could be around legitimately for a while yet and someone much smaller or younger than myself could be harmed more seriously than myself if the situation is repeated.

An AudlemOnline reader
(name supplied to webteam)

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