Warning as runner is knocked over by dog in Skipton Woods

9:00am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News

Dog walkers have been warned to keep their pets under control after a runner was bowled over by a loose labrador in Skipton Woods.

Archaeologist Tim Taylor was knocked head over heels by the animal as he ran through the woods on his morning keep-fit session.

“I saw the dog in the distance and was wary because I’ve suffered similar incidents in the past,” he said.

“It bombed straight at me, hit me in the midriff and I bowled over, landing on my hands.

“I saw a young woman and shouted to keep her dog under control. She replied she was really sorry.

“I didn’t want to carry it on so I ran on but it’s an example of how dog owners think they can just let their animals run completely our of control.”

Dr Taylor, who works at the University of Bradford and is a member of Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association, said incidents like that were likely to put off young families with toddlers.

A spokesman for the Woodland Trust, which oversees the development of Skipton Woods, said dogs should be adequately trained and should behave properly if let off a lead.

“We expect people to follow the Countryside Code at all times which includes keeping dogs under effective control. This means that you keep your dog on a lead, or keep it in sight at all times, be aware of what it’s doing and be confident it will return to you promptly on command and ensure it does not stray off the path or area where you have a right of access.”

Comments(11)

Skipton Ratepayer says...
9:17am Mon 22 Oct 12

Lots of people won't walk through the park because of huge dogs which charge at them - "he only wants to play"! Dog owners seem to think that their 'little treasures' can do no wrong, and usually ignore signs to keep the beasts on leads..

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Ageing Hippy says...
11:25am Mon 22 Oct 12

Moan moan moan, if he didnt want to "carry it on" why contact the press?

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Skiptonite says...
3:06pm Mon 22 Oct 12

As a keen runner and a father of a small child, who regularly uses Skipton Woods, I feel very strongly about owners not taking their responsibilities seriously enough. In this case the owner was clearly in breach of the Dangerous Dogs 1991 Act, "...a dog shall be regarded as dangerously out of control on any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person...". If the runner in question here can show injuries resulting from the incident then there is a presumption in favour of destruction of the dog.

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Jamiesiam says...
4:33pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Oh dear lord, whatever next? A vicious labrador in Skipton woods, perhaps we should organise a torch bearing lynch mob to deal with it, grab the pitchforks folks, we must prevent people getting licked by a labrador!

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dennisnilsen says...
6:35pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Timmy, darling, I am a Labradoodle. Please tell the truth.

Love Softy the Doodle dog, Skipton xxxxxxxxxx

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White Rhino says...
7:30pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Be careful you may even get swooped on by a low flying crow and that water could contain some quite vicious trout

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bettyswollocks says...
1:49pm Tue 23 Oct 12

What about dangerously out of control runners being close to knocking people over?

Can they be destroyed?

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Doc Daneeka says...
2:33pm Tue 23 Oct 12

If a dog jumps at me in this way I stab a key or pen in its eye. Very effective. Sadly I can't legally do this to the anti-social owners.

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Jamiesiam says...
7:45pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I have a great distrust of people in tracksuits these days!

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oatbake says...
1:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Seems like it's high time there was a licence (with mandatory insurance) to own an animal which *can* carry out a fatal attack. I know in this case the dog may have thought it was 'being friendly', but a significant minority of owners appear to have no control of their dogs and no problem letting them run riot in places where children play.

An incident a year ago involved my step daughter being bitten in Aireville Park. The owner did not stick around and the incident was reported to the Police. Of course, she is petrified of dogs now, and probably will be for some time.

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dennisnilsen says...
10:51pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Dog licensing was abolished in 1987, and before it was, half of dog owners didn't have one, even though one only cost 37 pence. Just shows really.

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