Page 42 - link magazine

Letters Toothill Mini Marathon

From: J. Becow, tueensborough.
May I thank everyone who participated in the
Mr. Price (June issue) presumes to know what
Toothill Mini-Marathon on Sunday 14th June.
role Link should play.His word of caution is
It was a fun-event which brought the community
meant for us, he says we would be well advised
together and the money raised will go to a
not to discuss the issue of nuclear weapons in
very worthy cause - Brimble Hill School for
our community paper. Is he right? He overlooks
handicapped pupils.
that we are thinking animals, just as capable
as our national figures of having opinions. Special thanks go to 1. Mrs. S. Maddocks -
What issue could be more local, considering Chairman of the School Governors who not only
Greenham Common is to be a base for Cruise was the official starter but also she sport-
i ssiles? It may well be that the one element ingly joined the runners and was the third
of hope, is that local comnuni.ties are taRin lady home. 2. Mr. Chris Kamara of Swindon
greater interest on this issua. Town Football Club who gave up a Sunday morn-
ing to present the awards. Mr. Scott McDonald
Age Concern who greatly assisted in the organisation and
drummed up support. 4 • Mr. Dave Bartlett from
Age Concern are holding a Coffee horning on the Toot and Whistle who together with some
Wednesday .12th August lv. i0-12.00 ixi the of his 'regulars' entered into the spirit of
Community Room, 2oothill School. this will the thing by running in fancy dress. If you
give peo-:le interested in helrin g the elderly have enjoyed it please let us know and
an onnortunity to get together and discuss perhaps we can do something similar next year.
w-,at they can offer. `'lease aomu along and
nnring a `r.ien . Thank you all - participants and helpers for
Swindon RFC starts training making what I hope is only our first Mini-
Rugby very soon 6.30pm on Tues & Thur Marathon, a great success.
new players always welcome. Anne Newton, Head Teacher, Toothill School
Ring 21148
' Care For Your D
! or Campaign
l
The Toothi .l Residents Organisation has been very concerned about Dogs which are not looked after
and cause a nuisance to other residents. It welcomes Thamesdown Council's initiative in launching
a "Care for your Dog Campaign."
Thamesdwon has a dog population of around 12,000, though only 7,600 dog licences were issued last
year. The council is not after licence-dodgers, nor is it anti-dogs. Uncontrolled dogs, however
DO result in various social problems. The council wants people to think twice before buying a dog _
and also accept the responsibilities of ownership should they get one. Uncontolled dogs cause
pollution-fouling and noise-and Disease. Strays-including dogs simply turned out daily by owners-
are another problem.
Pollution During 1970-79, the public health department acted on 59 pollution complaints involving
dogs-29 about incessantly barking animals, the rest of fouling. That's more than one a week. And
talking about fouling, its estimated that Thamesdown's dogs- annually produce 500 tons of excrement-
much of It on footpaths, verges, parks and play areas. While it is quite possible to train a dog
to perform in its own garden, everyone, council included, accepts that accidents sometimes happen.
But the council believes that most people object to indiscriminate fouling.
The fouling of footways and verges under 3 metres wide is illegal under a local by-law and the
council is quite prepared to prosecute offenders, who can be fined up to £50 if convicted. Its
your money that has to be used to clear excrement. If you object to this, then contact the public
health department if you see anyone deliberately permitting fouling. The consequences are possibly
more anti-social than your action in reporting it.
Strays Apart from genuine strays-unowned animals-large numbers of dogs are regularly turned out
daily by owners. For example, bitches in season will draw dogs from literally miles around. In
packs, dogs are a big nuisance and, at worst, are a genuine physical danger, especially to children
and road users.
The council employs two dog wardens. Far from being just dog-catchers, the wardens are experts in
canine behaviour and can give advice on strays or other dog problems. They can be contacted via
the council's Cleansing Division at Barnfield Road. Like fouling, the problems of strays would
disappear given 100'% responsible dog ownership. The coucil has arranged exhibitions as part of the
'Care for your Dog' Campaign in various parts of the borough. The Toothill Residents Organisation
is arranging for it to visit Toothill. If you're a dog owner or if you're thinking of buying a dog
then please visit the exhibition. And please, follow these 12 rules with your dog.
1. Train it in elementary obedience so that it is under control at all times.
2. Feed it at regular times and do not give tit-bits between meals.
3. Feed it from its own dishes and keep them apart from those of the human family.
4. Keep it on a lead anywhere near a road, or where there are farm animals.
5. Do not allow it to foul buildings, pavements, lawns and gardens; or places where children play.
6. Do not allow it to be noisy to the disturbance of your neighbours.
7. Provide it with its own bed.
8. Never take it into a food shop.
9. Keep it cleaned and regularly groomed.
10. Register it as a patient and yourself as a client with a vet. Don't wait for an emergency.
11. If you do not wish it to have puppies, get advice from your vet.
12. Make proper arrangements for its care when you go on holiday.