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Dog park opens at Alameda Gardens, with more to come

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The dog park at the Alameda Gardens has officially opened and the Gibraltar Government aims to start works on two other parks later this year.

In July 2014, plans for a dog park in the Alameda Gardens were presented to the DPC and in February last year the Government pledged that work would shortly start on one of the dog parks planned for the Rock. This saw the creation of the dog park in Alameda Gardens – which was opened late last year.

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In November 2013, the DPC heard of the Government’s plans to convert the top of both Montagu and North Bastion Counterguards (West Place of Arms) into a dog park, with one section for small dogs and one for large dogs.

The Government told the Chronicle that “works on the Dog Park at West Place of Arms are envisaged to commence later this year.”

In addition, it said it “is aware that a petition for a Dog Park in the Harbour Views area is circulating and is currently considering a proposal received.

The Harbour Views petition states “the lack of free running areas has been a long-neglected issue for the hundreds of dog owners in Gibraltar. The law as it currently stands prohibiting dogs to be off-leash anywhere within Gibraltar is outdated in a modern setting that recognizes animal rights, as it effectively prohibits owners from properly exercising their dogs to ensure their mental and physical well-being.”

The petition further adds “while we understand that some irresponsible owners allow their dogs to foul areas around Gibraltar indiscriminately and support measures to control this, we feel that those owners that are responsible and who make up the majority are being unfairly discriminated against due to the ill feeling caused by the actions of a minority.”

The residents from Mid Harbour’s Estate who started the petition said that there is a green area adjacent to the children’s playground that is “unsightly, neglected and often littered with dog faeces”.

These residents would like to see this area fenced off an appropriate surface laid down, in the belief that the owner would attract dog owners and increase the possibility of dogs defecating within its confines.

A petition with regards to dog parks in Gibraltar has also been started and at present there are over 370 signatures on the online version.

There are approximately 1,800 dogs living in Gibraltar.

At present dogs in Gibraltar are allowed in the section north of the central groyne on Eastern beach until March 15.

Dogs in Gibraltar are not legally allowed off the lead in any area but the Alameda Gardens dog park.

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