Special park for pooches, make Locals go red in face
Special park for pooches, make Locals go red in face
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But pets at this ufffd15,000 (Rs 11 lakh) play park the first of its kind in Britain enjoy Crufts-style obstacles to keep in shape.
There is everything from ramps and tunnels to hurdles, poles and paw-shaped hoops to negotiate.
The 30ft square area at Southern Country Park in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, opened this week coinciding with a People's Dispensary for Sick Animals report warning that half of UK dogs will be obese within five years.
But critics complain the park is a waste of money.
Emma Boon, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said,u00a0 "The local council must have gone barking mad to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash on this canine attraction."
She added that dog owners should exercise their pets as part of looking after them but a run around the park would be sufficient.
"It is not the job of the council to provide facilities for owners to play with their dogs and it certainly isn't a priority at a time when money is tight and the council should be making spending cuts," she further said.
Jogger Rachel Bennett 34, who lives in the area, said, "It seems a bit barmy. What's wrong with throwing a ball or a stick? Those don't need maintenance and won't be vandalised."
Diana Attwood, from nearby Stansted Mountfitchet, Hertfordshire, who takes her weimaraner, Cindy, to agility competitions, said, "It's awful to think local residents are being bullied and robbed for their council tax for it to be wasted in such a stupid way.'
Tory-run East Herts District Council paid ufffd7,000 (Rs 5 lakh) for the equipment.
Installation costs and officers' time more than doubled this.
Councillor Linda Haysey said, "The area has been designed to help dogs and their owners keep fit and active. It's a wonderful way for dog owners to socialise."
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said, "Recent reports about pet obesity are testament to the fact that, sadly, dogs don't always get the exercise that they need."
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