Police warning after complaints over dog walkers
POLICE have reminded people of the lockdown rules after reports of dog walkers “congregating”.
Avon and Somerset Police shared a “gentle reminder” via Twitter following complaints from people in North Somerset.
The tweet, from the AS Police North Somerset account, advised: “We have received a number of complaints regarding dog walkers congregating in groups of more than two people.
“Gentle reminder that exercising with your dog can only be with one other person from a different household.”
A separate tweet from the same account added: “We have had a number of reports of dog walkers meeting up ... ensure you only meet up with 1 person from another household for exercise.”
Police did not specify any particularly problematic parks or other open spaces.
One man said the issue was affecting parts of the North Somerset coastline, although he blamed that on visitors rather than locals.
He tweeted: “Sand Bay rammed with dog walkers, no social distancing, not locals, a joke. Stay at home means nothing to these people.”
At the start of the pandemic, animal charity the PDSA issued guidance to dog walkers about how to safely exercise their pet.
They advised: “Try to walk your dog in quieter areas and avoid built-up places if you can.
“Keep at least two metres away from other people. This can be difficult, but it’s in everyone’s best interests to keep their distance at the moment so it’s likely other dog walkers will be doing the same.”
The current national lockdown only allows people to meet one person out of their household once a day for socially-distanced exercise.
However, further government guidance is offered here for pet owners.
It states: “Although the government generally advises you should exercise once a day, you can go out more often if you need to walk your dog but should limit this where possible.
“You should stay two metres apart from anyone outside of your household or support bubble.
“When walking your dog in areas used by other people, you should consider putting your dog on a lead to ensure you can stay two metres away from others.”