A TRINITY parishioner has been left “traumatised” after one of her two cats had to be put down following a suspected dog attack and her remaining pet came within a whisker of a similar fate a week ago due to loose dogs on the north coast path near her home.
Saskia Irwin has shared her concerns with the JEP about the actions of some dog owners who she says are failing to keep their animals under control while crossing the private land adjoining her property.
Ms Irwin has allowed access over her land as it enables walkers to follow the cliff path all the way between Rozel and Bouley Bay. But last year one of her two cats, Mellie, was seriously injured and had to be put down after a suspected dog attack.
After the loss of her cat last year, Ms Irwin said she had been very grateful for the help of senior environment officer in the government, Julia Clively, who had organised the erection of boundary fencing and latched gates on both sides of the cliff path as well at notices reminding people to have their dogs under control and to be aware that they were crossing private property.
Ms Irwin said: “People let their dogs run ahead and they are not in control.
“The idea of the gates was to ensure that the dogs would stop there and wait for their owners. Ideally, they should put their dogs on a leash when crossing my property but a few people are totally disregarding these measures.
“Around a week ago, two people with two dogs off the lead came through the gate. The dogs shot off and made a beeline for my 13-year-old cat Bear.
“I fell over trying to stop one of them and hurt myself. One of the owners ran after the other one and had to dive on to it to stop it. It was just inches away from my cat. Luckily my cat was ok.”
Only a matter of days later, Saskia suffered another upsetting incident when another two loose dogs ran up the drive into her garden.
She had left the front door of her house open for ventilation as it was a warm day and was confronted by the dogs, one of which was in her lounge eating the sandwich she had just made for her breakfast.
She explained that the owner came to retrieve them but added: “I don’t want people and their dogs just wandering into my house. They should respect the fact that it’s my home and private property.’”
She added that she would also be devastated if anything happened to Bear as he was a much loved companion.
“I have reported these incidents to the police and they are investigating as they have really left me traumatised,” said Ms Irwin.
“I would have every right to stop access over my land, but I don’t want to do that as many people enjoy the walk between the bays.
“Most people are responsible. It’s just a small minority causing the problem. I just want people to be more aware of what their dogs can do and to put them on a leash when crossing over the land next to my garden.”
