From Andy M

Saturday, 14 May 2016

Clear up after themselves and take responsibility for disposing of it - even if it means - shock horror - taking **it home to your own bin!

More bins means more time emptying them and I suspect the council has precious little resources for such things. Better to put the onus on the owners… there's a slogan there!

From Danny W

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

This is getting out of control now. Dog muck all over the park, pavements, by the canal, paths. It's really not on. Dog owners may be okay treating our town like s**t, but the rest of us aren't.

It's not helped by dog owners letting their dogs off their leads, being far away enough conveniently not to notice their dog doing its business.

Furthermore, many children and adults can feel uneasy around dogs, particularly when they're given unwelcome attention by them, as I imagine any dog owner would feel if a person gave them unwanted attention.

Dog owners, please don't be selfish and anti-social, keep your dog on a lead in public. You may think the world of your pooch, no-one else does.

And please don't bring them into pubs and cafes. Not only is it extremely unhygienic, but people are spending their hard-earned money on relaxing and socialising. Don't be anti-social by bringing your dog in to shout at other dogs, or be a trip hazard.

If anyone has any suggestions about what can be done about this, or who with power will listen, please do reply.

Thank you.

From Lesley D Jones

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Yes, dog dirt is a nuisance but really anyone over the age of 40 must remember that it used to be far worse back in the days when folk used to just let the dogs out of the door to ramble around by themselves for a few hours. Most dogs in pubs are better behaved than many children I've observed (but, no, I will put up with the kids and don't expect them to be banned). I think the majority of dog owners are responsible people - a few are not. Hebden Bridge is a dog lovers town and I think anyone who lives here just has to accept that as a fact.

From Danny W

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Lesley, I don't see why what it used to be like has any relevance whatsoever. I'm under 40 and the amount of dog mess everywhere is disgusting, a stain on our beautiful town. If it's been a long running problem, shame on us for not fixing it yet.

Yes, it isn't all dog owners, that's why Freddy, Andy and myself have quite clearly highlighted the problems, as well as some very polite ways for any dog owners causing these problems reading this to contribute to making a cleaner, less anti-social town.

There is an increasing problem both with the mess being made and left outside and the noise, stench and hazards of having them in our cafes and pubs, and by choosing to own a dog, it's the responsibility of dog owners to fix it.

Hopefully you're right in saying most dog owners are responsible, but I'm not sure those causing the problems even realise, and it negatively effects the rest of us.

Hebden is first and foremost a people-friendly town and these particular dog owners are only thinking about themselves.

From Phil M

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Yes, it is a real problem that there is a small % of idiot owners who don't clear up dog poo.. Most people do however so please lets recognise this!

Having dogs in cafes and pubs that allow them to be there is completely acceptable and part of the charm of Hebden. If you don't like it then its quite simple - don't frequent those establishments.

From Vicky Leigh

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Agree about about dogs in pubs being anti-social!

I've fallen over several times over dogs next to tables in pubs and not been able to hear myself think when they bark at each other (the dogs not the owners!) but their owners do nothing to stop them.

When they begin to sniff (and lick!!) me and the owner does nothing, it's far from charming! Not welcome for me and most people!

From Dave R

Thursday, 23 June 2016

if there are areas where dogs foul regularly, then you can ring the council and ask them to do a clean up. The stuff is hazardous, stinks and in my view the irresponsible owners should be called to account. It's easy to train your dog to sh*t at certain times, just as it is with kids. Walk them at this time, and bag and bin (preferably in your own bin rather than hanging it from a branch like Christmas baubles).

As for dogs in pubs/cafes. Have you tried finding one that dogs aren't allowed in?

They shouldn't be near food preparation areas, but I have seen cafe staff stroke a dog and straight back in the kitchen to presumably prepare food.

You trip over them when trying to get to the bar, and if you step on one then it either snaps or its owner does.

On the whole, they smell, they lick their backsides and their nether regions and then lick passers by.

They also dribble all over the floor making it slippy. And the trend for having little piddly ones with coats or bows on that owners sit on the the tables is beyond gross.

So, just why is Hebden soooo dog friendly?

From Allen Keep

Friday, 24 June 2016

I'm a dog owner. I'm used to being tarred with the same brush as the minority of dog owners who are irresponsible, particularly in failing to clean up after their animals. But people are quite right to complain -it's disgusting and anti-social not to do so which is why I always do.

It is pretty outrageous however to describe folk who take their dogs into pubs and cafes as anti-social or selfish. Many pubs and cafes are dog-friendly and welcoming so why shouldn't I go there with my dogs? If a pub/café isn't happy with dogs I don't take them there. Simple really.
When I do, the same responsibilities apply - not to have then be in the way of others, not to let them on the furniture, to keep them under control.

I'm usually pestered to death in pubs, in a nice way, with people wanting to stroke my dogs, ask about them, feed them - what's wrong with that? And what is inherently unhygienic about a dog being in a pub or a café?

I wonder when people visit a friend's house for a meal where they have dogs they would expect them to be barred from the kitchen,refuse to eat food made for them, enquire whether their friends had washed their hands, be constantly vigilant against trip hazards or be over concerned about the prospect of sliding across their host's floors? Doubt it.

From Mark H

Friday, 24 June 2016

I agree with Dave R and offer my answer that Hebden is soooooooooooo dog friendly because so few businesses dare to alienate such a vociferous minority of customers.

Remember when smoking was as prevalent a background annoyance? How your clothes used to smell and how drinking and eating out were less enjoyable? How reluctant you were to want to share the experience with your children?

I would immediately leave, and never return to, any bar or cafe that tolerated having dogs on tables. Or indeed tolerated dog owners who thought it was acceptable to allow their pwecious Foo-Foo to show his ickle tummikins on the table...

I would choose and return to venues without dogs, but realise the risk a business would face in excluding them on my behalf.

So how about businesses make whatever efforts they can to promote dogfree areas? How about the vast majority of potential customers without dogs perhaps just speaking up a little bit? Hm?

While watching the referendum results pile up (1am, Friday) I can't help but feel we might soon have bigger themes to discuss...

From Phil M

Friday, 24 June 2016

I have never seen a dog on a table and find it quite amazing that people think this actually happens.. Every dog I ever see in a pub is on a lead and behaving itself. Odd barking happens but that is the case in the human as well as the canine breed!!

Hebden is so dog friendly because the majority of people, dog owners and those who do not own dogs (such as myself) have absolutely no problem with it and realise that it helps the revenue of the establishments and the town as a whole being inclusive in this way..

From Kevin S.

Friday, 24 June 2016

The best thing to open in Hebden was the Lamp Post Café, totally dog friendly. Before they opened, not many businesses allowed dogs in their premises but now nearly all do. Why? Because they realised they could be missing out on trade as so many people own a dog and take it along wherever they go. Most of the shops also allow dogs in. In fact, a lot of shop owners take their dog to work and their pet is part of the business.

From James E

Friday, 24 June 2016

Allen, pubs and cafes that allow you take your dog in do that because they want your money. Please don't pretend it's for anything else. Dogs being there probably aren't enough to put off custom, but that doesn't make bringing your dog in any less anti-social.

Let's take Old Gate, for example. Dogs next to tables, people tripping over them, dogs barking at each other, annoying people. How can you not see the selfishness in that? Fox & Goose, wonderful pub, lovey people, an overbearing stench of wet dog, dogs blocking the already very limited space. You might like it for some reason, the rest of us don't. As for hygiene, with dogs around food and people making the food, I think that's pretty obvious.

Whether you go to a friend's house who has a dog is completely irrelevant. That's not a public place.

I truly feel some dog owners, and it is only some - the ones bringing their dogs in pubs and cafes - are in a world that revolves around their dog, where thinking about other people is non existent.

From Dave R

Monday, 27 June 2016

I have never seen a dog on a table and find it quite amazing that people think this actually happens

It does, I can assure you of that, and that despite informing bar staff of this, it was ignored. I wouldn't eat in that establishment ever again. Would you eat from a dogs bowl?

Far from being anti-dog, I have owned dogs and I stand by that they generally smell of wet dog, of manure if they have rolled in it, or just doggy.

However, my question of why is Hebden so dog-friendly has been answered. They (and their human's) bring in the brass.

Maybe the pubs that don't allow dogs could set up a people friendly pub for those of us who like a pint without the extras that dogs bring.

From Jill Robinson

Monday, 4 July 2016

One of the most enjoyable evenings in a pub I have ever had was when away from home with my Staffie, staying in a village on the edge of Exmoor, there was nothng to do in this tiny place except go to the pub. As I entered, a bevy of young men rushed forward to greet the dog, soon I was in happily conversation with complete strangers. They may not have talked to me had I gone in on my own. One held the dog while I went to the ladies, and when I returned yet another man had turned up - they had phoned him specially to come down to the pub to meet my 'gorgeous' dog. I did ask if they had also mentioned to the friend that there was a pleasant woman accompanyng the dog, but unaccountably, they had not. So please continue to allow dogs on leads into pubs so that customers can quickly strike up conversations, it enhances the atmosphere and puts people at ease.

From Daniel Riley

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Jill, I'm sure you're a lovely person so I have no doubt you could strike up conversations with people in pubs without a dog too.

As explained by several people on this thread, dogs make many people feel uncomfortable. And I assure you, good atmosphere is created by people, not dogs.

Please don't bring them into cafes and pubs. They are clearly not welcome in Hebden Bridge. Thank you.

From Henry Wiseman

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Regretably I too feel I should vent my spleen with regards a proportion of dog owners. (I too have no issue with dogs themselves). Only last week I walked down Crown street to find 2 piles of muck outside Boots, only to then narrowly avoid a further pile as I went round the corner near Peter Davids.

And lets not get started with regards the canal bank. I also find it strange that many dog walkers now actualy clean up their mess, to then simply discard the bag by the wayside, some even kindly hang it on trees, Hardcastle Crags is an absolute disgrace in this respect, but hey ho, many other places have this same problem.

As for dogs in pubs, I too feel things have gone too far. I spilt nearly half of my drink some time ago tripping over that huge dog in one of our pubs (when it was crowded and could not see in front of me) to then get scowled at by the owner, and then have to buy a further drink!.

Only last week I was sat in a cafe with a dog sat at the table, Ok it was not on the table but still this is completely unaceptable. I love the idea of the Lampost Cafe, but feel that some dog owners put landlords in difficult predicaments with regards to what is and is not acceptable.

From Kez Armitage

Friday, 8 July 2016

Regarding dogs in pubs, it does seem to be down to landlords' own preferences rather than anything else. It would be nice, if, at the very least, a room was set aside for those who are uneasy having dogs around.

Until that time CAMRA have an extensive online pub guide which has a 'dog friendly' filter, so you know exactly which pub to go to if you like or dislike dogs.

Incidentally, it also has a 'family friendly' filter, so that, if you're old and curmudgeonly like me, you know where to escape those dear little uncontrolled 'free spirits'! But that's another matter!

From Phil M

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

I agree there should be a segregated area. I would even be happy with how it used to be where pubs like the White Lion had a small room where dogs were welcome and the rest of the pub was off limits for dogs. As long as everyone is welcome somewhere I don't really care..

Happy to agree that especially on wet days, having them all over the pub can be a tad whiffy and abit of a trip hazard if you are not looking where you are going or have had a few..

Statements such as 'dogs are clearly not welcome in Hebden Bridge' are a tad daft tho as all the pubs let them in and I am sure that a % of the lovely popularity we enjoy as a vibrant town is down to this fact.

From Gary W

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

After popping in the White Lion (in Hebden Bridge) yesterday, I was disappointed to see that they have now changed their policy on dogs; they are now welcome. Good news if you want to take your mutt to the pub, but bad news if you wanted to go to a dog free pub to relax in the exclusive company of our fellow Great Apes.

As previous contributors have said, the dogs themselves are not the problem. It's anti-social owners that are the problem

The loud yapping, the unwanted attention, the smell… and that's just from some of the owners!

Seriously though, if we are to share the same spaces, then please dog-owners, keep your dog on a lead, give them a regular bath and don't let them bark incessantly without intervening.

From David Kennedy

Sunday, 7 August 2016

I am fortunate enough to live by the side of the canal. What is not fortunate are the mounds of dog xxxx that seem to gather in mounds on a daily basis. The other day, I watched a chap, he was unaware I was was watching!, let his dog leave another mound of xxxx, as he stood looking into space, pretending to be oblivious and then simply walk on by when his dog had finished, leaving the xxxx then pretending to be unaware.

At what point will any action be taken?

Are we to just put up with this filthy and disgusting disregard for other people who either live here, tread on it, have to walk around it or simply have to look at it.

I am not a rebel but enough is enough, something has to be done. Suggestions please. By the way, I am a dog lover and have had many in my life.

From Andy G

Monday, 8 August 2016

I can sympathise with David Kennedy, having had a close encounter with a large, smeared pile of very smelly and rather runny dog poo in Bridgegate at the weekend. It appears to me that the amount of dog poo on the streets and towpaths of the town increases considerably when there is a dry, sunny weekend with lots of visitors around. Therefore I am probably not alone in concluding that much of the poo that is not cleaned up comes from the faithful four-legged friends of day trippers who are not bothered about the state in which they leave our streets when they go home at the end of the day.

Although I like dogs, my lifestyle does not allow me to own one, but all of my many dog-owning friends in Hebden Bridge fastidiously scoop their dogs' poop. How can we persuade visitors to do the same? Perhaps David should have called out to this guy and blagged that he had taken a photo of his pooping pooch and asked him to pick it up? I realise however that it would be easier said than done and could result in severe verbal abuse or even physical violence. I never cease to be amazed by the brazen selfishness of some people.

From Meg Rumbell

Monday, 8 August 2016

I'm much taken by the signs at the entrance to Hardcastle Crags, which seem to me to be eminent good sense.

Find a stick,
Pick a spot,
Flick it in the bushes,
Where it can rot.

The National Trust don't do waste bins for disposal of dog mess (or any other mess for that matter).

However, this cogent advice is routinely ignored as evidenced by the number of poo bags littering the tracks and bushes usually near the main entrances. As has been observed on this forum many times, some dog owners, for reasons which are unfathomable, pick up their dog's mess using bags and then dispose of them by hanging on bushes, dropping in the river, or simply leaving them on the tracks. I've even seen bags hanging on 'Pick up Your Dog Mess' signs.

Plastic, as most of us know, can take decades to degrade and even then, in particulate form, can be ingested by invertebrate or aquatic lifeforms. These in turn are eaten by vertebrates further up the food chain until the plastic ends up on the dinner plate of humans - where it's effects are potentially malignant. The use of plastic bags for poo disposal simply adds an environmental hazard to something, that if left to rot - as the NT recommends, would be environmentally harmless.

Of course, in towns and on pavements , the NT advice is not appropriate and disposal by bagging is probably the only realistic option. But even here I've often kicked dog mess (left by other dog owners I hasten to add) into the gutter where it is relatively harmless. Solid mess is easy to do, sloppy mess rather more difficult.

The issue of dog mess has been around for decades, and the authorities mainly turn a blind eye to the problem. There is no serious attention applied by Calderdale Council, or most other councils, to tackling this menace despite widespread complaints.

However, methods are now available to identify anti-social dog owners. I refer to DNA testing of dog stools. All dogs are now required to be microchipped and it's possible to set up a dog DNA database allowing quick identification of dogs - and their owners - from a sample of DNA taken from the dog waste.

Where these techniques have been applied, the evidence is that the problem tends to disappear as owners realise they can be easily identified from their dog's mess - and a hefty fine is in prospect.

Previously

HebWeb Forum: Dogs (Jan 2016)

HebWeb Forum: Dogs, continued (Jan-March 2015)

HebWeb Forum: Dogs (March-July 2014)

HebWeb Forum: Dogs not on leads (March 2014)