A couple of notes for Dog Walkers .... there are only two important things to mention:
- First is PLEASE pick your dog's mess for several reasons - not least is it can cause blindness in children, and
- Second, PLEASE keep your dog under control: that is under control in other people's view, this includes:
- mother's of small children, and
- owners of small and or timid dogs.
And some notes for Bicyclists:
- Children act unpredictably. PLEASE keep your speed down - which to a reasonable person is less than 5 miles [8 kms] an hour,
- Children get frightened easily. PLEASE leave a good distance when you pass them. On a path less than 2.5 m wide. simply dismount and let them past.
Dog mess and Blindness
One of the biggest causes of blindness in children arises when they rub their eyes having touched dog mess. It is a fact of life, but we can all do a lot to prevent it:
- Glasgow City Council promote the Your Dog Your Mess, Bag it and Bin it,
- East Renfrewshire Council promote something similar,
If you see a dog which has made a mess and which the walker has failed to spot, please let them know IMMEDIATELY.
For dog walkers, this means keeping a close eye on your dog and acting promptly - especially in dry weather when children are more likely to out and about ... and PLEASE don't forget that they tend to play hide and seek etc in the trees shrubs and bush's ...
For parents, if your child inadvertently touches dog mess, then wash it off as quickly as possible. The White Cart offers a great source of water - but be careful especially when the river is high.
PLEASE bag it and throw it ... but only into a bin. If a bin is too full, PLEASE take it to another one, or dispose at home.
Control of Dogs
If your dog is one of those who cannot resist a fight, PLEASE put it on a lead, and if its stronger that you, PLEASE put a muzzle on your dog. There have been a recent spate of attacks by what can only be termed "fierce" breeds. They may be the most loving dog at home: but not necessarily out in the wide world.
And please remember that small children can be easily intimidated by a dog: Can we remind people that if a dog does not IMMEDIATELY return when called then it is not under control and maybe it should be on a lead. Small children can become terrified after being jumped at, barked at, jostled and harassed by dogs whilst in the Linn Park. The ever popular comment of "don't worry it won't bite" by the owners some distance away just does not wash.
Bicycles
Being in charge of bicycle in a park means that, unlike on a road with a pavement, the space has to be shared. This means sharing the space with:
- Dogs of all shapes and sizes,
- People of all descriptions from serious runners, to children, to infants in prams, and old people - many of whom simply cannot move fast - a fact of old age,
- In some places cars as well,
- And in others horses and ponies.
This had resulted in park rules where the speed was limit set at 5 miles [8 kms] an hour. Since 2016, this has been moderated to a "reasonable speed" - which means that you can go a little faster BUT you MUST be able to stop in HALF the distance that you can see - and that includes looking sideways at the grass, shrubs, and trees - for wild animals, children, and whatever who can leap out at any moment.
Bicyclists must also realise that their tyres cause a lot of damage to both metalled paths [not tarmacced ones] as well as grass or earth ones. Parts of the zigzag path have been severely damaged by bikes [as well as by horses] using their brakes and skidding round corners, and some areas of grassland are best described as destroyed.
In summary. Think of others when out to enjoy yourself with your dog.