From: "David Kitching" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >The towpath throughout Audlem is a public right of way and as such >there is no requirement to keep dogs on a lead, only under close control >(whatever that might mean). There are no powers that the council can >apply to compel use of leads on a public right of way.
Last year we moored in Audlem overnight (from mid afternoon to mid morning) and I had plenty of time to watch the dog walkers in action. Most people picked up after their dogs but a few didn't and these were without exception people who looked a if they lived locally. Mostly elderly ladies with wee pooches on leads. When fido needed to go, the owner obligingly stopped to let him perform and no attempt was made to move the dog to a better position -like away from right beside a boat or from the middle of the path. When fido was finished the owner walked on without any pretence of picking up what fido had left. I did offer a poo bag to one lady but she declined my offer and I got the impression that she felt that picking up poo was beneath her. What really annoyed me was that it was boat owners who would get the blame. Ann
