DOG owners who walk their dogs in Jameson Park, are angered that they will no longer be allowed to frequent the Morningside park with their pets.
Ward councillor, Ernest Smith, said the announcement was made by the head of the Parks Department at a parks activation last week.
On a social media post, he expressed his frustration at having to bring this to the attention of the residents, and said this was not only a slap in the face for the ward residents who lived in the immediate vicinity with their furry friends, but also an immense insult to the community as a whole who are already limited with places to take their pets to exercise.
He took to the community Facebook page to ask every resident to help him make the municipality and the officials realise that they should not make a blanket decision.
“The Jameson Parks issue is a very sensitive issue that affects people in the area. Unfortunately there were no reasons given as to why the decision was made, and from what I have gathered, it was a spur of the moment decision. Because it affects quite a number of people I made the public aware of this and in doing so will be taking it up as far as it can go,” commented Smith.
Smith said unfortunately there had been a lot of people who frequent the park and do not clean up after their dogs, and he felt this may have added to the decision.
He said, however, that this does not mean that the community at large shouldn’t be considered and consulted.
Speaking to Berea Mail at Jameson Park on Friday, resident Lena Kitching, said there was a sense of real community among people walking their dogs at the popular park.
“These people have become my friends outside of the park. There is a park WhatsApp group and if anyone’s pets go missing, they help on the group,” she said.
Kitching said there were some people who don’t pick up after their dogs, however this shouldn’t ruin it for others who do.
ALSO READ: Leash-free hours proposed for Jameson Park dogs
Melissa Calitz said she was disappointed to hear the news as there wasn’t anywhere else they could go.
“We can’t even use certain parts of the beachfront anymore. This has been somewhere I can take my dogs to walk,” she said.
Tre Anthony and Jesse van Jaarsveldt said they had just started walking their dog Simba in the park.
“We started coming here when we got Simba. It is a well-known dog park, it is big and a nice place for dogs to run,” he said. “Where else can we go now?” asked van Jaarsveldt.
Elana van Eyk said she had walked her dog Buddy at the park every day for two-and-a-half years.
“I put up at least three dog poos a day where people have neglected to do so for their dogs, yesterday is was nine. It is unpleasant for everyone. I have been to Crusaders and there are poles with bags in which people can use for the dogs’ poos, and lots of bins. I love coming here with Buddy, to walk him and for him to socialise with other dogs. It is as important for him to have a social life as it is for me. We have made friends here, the dog community are warm people,” she said.
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Nicky Burke said people need to pick up after their dogs, and urge their staff who walk their dogs to do so as well.
“I have lived in the area for 15 years and this is such a valuable place for pet owners. This has been a wake-up call for people to look after open spaces. I have seen dog poo on the side of Florida Road before, and have confronted a dog owner to pick up after their dog. It is unacceptable. At the end of the day, dogs also need social interaction,” she said.
eThekwini Municipality comments
Responding to queries by Berea Mail on the matter, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the decision to no longer allow dogs at Jameson Park is not intended to frustrate dog owners or the public in general.
“The decision was taken after cases of some dog owners failing to clean up after their pets were noted. Other members of the public were then forced to contend with the smell of dog excrement. There were also instances reported of members of the public being harassed by dogs while trying to enjoy the park. Some owners let their dogs run without leashes and this was a serious concern. This decision was taken with the welfare of all members of the public in mind.”
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