Dogsey

Visitors to a South Bank park have been urged to report any suspicious behaviour after damage to a number of trees which is believed to have been caused by dogs.

Damage to trees caused by dog owners training their animals for illegal fights has been a growing problem across the UK in recent years.

The Jubilee Gardens Trust has put protective material around the trunks of several trees after bark was stripped away, putting the trees at risk.

In a warning notice displayed in the park, the trust's general manager Alex Valenzuela said: "A number of trees in the gardens have had bark torn from them by dogs.

"Unfortunately the affected trees may die. It is therefore important that this criminal damage is stopped immediately.

"If you are a dog owner or in charge of a dog and are allowing or encouraging the dog to cause damage to the trees in this way please be advised that the Jubille Gardens Trust will take legal action to prosecute anyone in whose care the dog is at the time of the offence."

In its animal welfare charter, Lambeth Countil says: "The council is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service, safer neighbourhoods team and the police status dogs unit and will provide support to the investigation of incidents involving dangerous dogs used as 'status symbols'.


"The council will not tolerate anti social behaviour linked to dogs including ... illegal dog fighting [and] damage to public property including trees."