Dogs all over the park
A Vierlanden resident complained that he presents training classes in Boland Park opposite the Dutch Reformed Church Bergsig-Durbanville in Protea Way. “It is not only next to the children’s playpark, but the whole of Boland Park is used by the dog trainer’s clients. It involves a large number of dogs all over the park. My friend turned around with her small children yesterday,” she says.
“I am really cross that this man is abusing and using our public open spaces as he sees fit. He manages to intimidate anyone who objects. Another resident objected to him running his classes in the Vierlanden dog park and she got sworn at,” a resident says.
No application
Berry continues that the dog trainer did not follow procedures and that he, Berry, has requested the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement unit to patrol the park area this past Saturday.
According to Berry officials of the recreation and parks department confirmed to him they have not received any event application for dog training at a public place in recent months.
“The use of public open space and any City owned land requires permission to be utilised and especially for this required purpose. In the majority of parks, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times. Any commercial activity of this nature requires the necessary permissions from the asset owner,” he says.
“The response time can be affected by officers arresting suspects, issuing fines or other urgent enforcement operations. The matter has been referred to the compliance unit of the City’s recreation and parks department for investigation. The law enforcement department is awaiting feedback and recommendations from the investigation to see what action will be taken,” he says.
