first mate

Problem is the us and them stance does seem to be perpetuated by a few parents who want others banned from use of the Green.

ooooh, ouch!

Louisa, I'm beginning to feel a bit like that myself. I don't know how we all survived up to this point. Fractionater might want to add a huge dome to the private park, with a disinfectant dip at the entry point, just to ensure that the environs within are kept completely sterile.

p-in-ed, You are the one who is polarising the argument not me. I said that the Green is for the use of all the community, and this includes dog owners, as well as parents and children. In addition to access to the Green children have use of an exlusive area adjacent. I also said that I, and many others I'm sure, would be happy to keep a dog on a short lead in that particular space. FYI most dog owners do use the Rye. A few, like the elderly, like to take their dog on the Green. A highly inconsiderate minority walk their dogs offlead everywhere, including the streets, and also allow their dogs to poo without picking up. Those people are a pain for all of us. Even dog owners dislike stepping in dog poo. Many dog owners have children too! Your us and them stance is unhelpful. Attempts to ban dogs from Goose Green will affect the decent majority of dog owners and have no impact whatsoever on the minority of offenders. We should all try to work together to improve our locale and save the invective for the few that really deserve it.

I would be concerned about dog control orders because this would set a precedent that might involve banning dogs from other green spaces in Southwark, infringing the rights of many law abiding, responsible and tax paying dog owners. I would not be averse to a demand to keep dogs under control and on a short lead when it is a very small space like Goose Green. This would make sense all round and would make it harder for owners to miss their dog defecating. It would also help the small proportion of children that are scared of dogs. However, I would not want this applied on Peckham Rye and other, larger spaces I say again though that there is already a decent enclosed space, especially for small children, adjacent to the Green. I think it's fine for young children to kick a ball around,but older kids, or larger groups should be encouraged to use the Rye.

p-in-ed, I think we have to accept that Goose Green is not there for the sole use of parents and children but for the whole community and that includes dog owners, some of whom are elderly and cannot get as far as the Rye. There is a fenced off play area for the exclusive use of children opposite. Older children who want to play ball etc.. have only to walk five minutes up the road to Peckham Rye, where there is much more space and again, fenced off areas for children. I should add that in and around all of these spaces I notice as much broken glass as dog poo but there never seems to be any concern about that. Litter is an urban problem of which dog poo is a part. There will, alas, always be those who litter without a thought or care for others. A little bit of vigilance on the part of park and community wardens as well as a few fines may help the problem on Goose Green. I don't believe a ban on dogs would work because the kind of people who litter with broken glass, discarded food and gum, food wrappings etc, and who don't pick up, are the types who will carry on doing just what they want to do.

Moos, I think if mums appear to be trying to be discreet that makes a lot of difference. It's the -wop em out and I dare you to have a problem brigade- that cause temperatures to rise. I think most of us sense when someone is struggling but trying and, on the other hand, the person who just doesn't give a d. Asset, you are correct, she changed the nappy while seated at a table. Even so, not really necessary when facilities available, surely you would agree?

Changing a nappy on a table that others will eat on and in full view of others eating, is selfish and unsupportable and...unecessary, given nappy changing facilities were clearly marked and available. Breast feeding in public is fine but should, out of respect for others sensibilities, be done with discretion. I can't see any reason why boobs need to be on full display. It's easy enough to carry a light (or heavy, if it's cold) shawl/wrap that allows the boob to be concealed. On this basis I can see no grounds for objection to public breast feeding anywhere. I can also see no reason why the Mum's who want to breast feed in public should not ensure they always have a shawl/wrap to hand.

Honk, actually many of us have black friends and neighbours from "round here". The fact that you view ED as an exclusively white enclave suggests you need to get off your high horse and out more.

Orla and Halcion, Thanks for drawing attention to this incident. It sounds like it was an unsettling experience. Honk you come across as a self righteous p**t. You were accused of being mildly sexist on another thread, is this a cack-handed attempt to show you aren't a racist too, or do you just have problems empathising with women? Either way your "point" about skin colour seems way off beam.

No, never!

Phew! Good news.

Mick Mac, Are you aware of something called the Dangerous Dogs Act?

I would clean the cat flap and door outside with biological washing powder. This will get rid of the scent of the new cat, which may be putting your cat off, in addition to everything else. Cats are very territorial so you wnat to get rid of any association with the big black puss.

Bunny19, you probably know that dulwichmum is a spoof character. She/he has a website. Satire re Dulwich folk is her/his stock in trade. Dog snatching is a real and serious issue and your description of the person you were suspicious about is helpful. Thanks.

Round my way there have been a number of instances of what looks like human poo, as well as used baby wipes and nappies left at the side of the pavement. I also get tired of finding sweets, bits of chocolate, discarded chicken bones, as well as broken glass strewn around- in the park too, especially in the summer after picnics. I guess litter is a general problem and the dog poo is one aspect, all deeply unpleasant I agree.

cate, I think there are people out there capable of all sorts and digging a microchip out, or attempting to, is not completely beyond the realms of the imagination. Do you remember the young male who was found by police to have portions of his puppy's ears on his person? He had attempted a bit of 'home cropping' and cut off bits of his staff puppy's ears to make it look 'harder'.

What sort of dog do you own? If it looks anything like a Staffie/Pitbull or mastiff, an Akita or Husky/Malamute then chances are your fears are grounded. These are the favoured dogs of the moment. Dogs are also stolen to be used as bait for fighting dogs but would tend to be smaller breeds. I believe a young woman was accosted on the Rye some time ago and attempts made to take her dog. It would be helpful to have a description of the man.

The stuff looked really nice and will pop in for a closer look. I was, however, slightly taken aback by the price of a small side table at ?220(something like that). If it is hand carved from scratch, well okay, but if it is recycled furniture then the price seems a bit steep, especially in these credit crunch times.

HonaloochieB, Seriously? It's because dogs are fed on crap pet food rather than raw meaty bones of yore. The white, crumbly stuff is directly related to bone ingestion.

In my view Pistachio Club is the best for the price. Try the Mumbai lamb curry--mmmm. Ganapati for southern Indian, though portions were a bit small last time I went.

Oops, edited to say I posted twice by mistake.

Madworld, I have an idea it's illegal for one person to walk more than four dogs at at a time. It is almost impossible to control a pack of 15 dogs offlead. Even if there were two people, a man and a woman, it's still way too many dogs. If this is a professional organisation, and it sounds certain that it is, it's out of order. I too know of only one organisation that regularly uses the Rye.

Cate, It is my understanding that regular worming of dogs controls the parasite responsible for Toxocara Canis. The majority of dog owners in ED are responsible and worm their dogs. Nonetheless, nobody wants to tread in dog shit and I also curse the irresponsible minority when I come across it.

Have an idea they qualify as bush meat, if imported, therefore illegal. If grown here don't know, also don't know how easy they would be to breed to that size here.