HUNDREDS of dog walkers have objected to being banned from part of a 'dog-friendly' café.
Hutton's Courtyard Café at the Stables Visitors' Centre in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, banned dogs and their owners from sitting in the courtyard, a popular place for dog walkers.
Since the news was announced last month the Chronicle has been inundated with letters and comments from dog walkers outraged by the decision.
Linda Mascot is a Chelmsford City councillor but spoke to the Chronicle as a dog walker, and described the new patio area designated for dogs as "awful".
"I have never, ever, heard of or seen any problems with dogs at the café. It is absolutely appalling," she said.
"I went up to the café and one of the members of staff came out the back. She said they are unhappy about it because people just aren't using the courtyard."
Another outraged dog owner is Brentwood borough councillor Karen Chilvers, who set up a petition against the ban, stating that human rights have been breached and questioned the lack of public consultation.
In three days it received 353 signatures.
John Brandler, 58, owns a picture gallery in Brentwood, and comes to Hylands Park on a regular basis with his dog before using shops in the city centre.
"We have spoken to people who come from 15 to 20 miles away to walk their dog," he said.
"I'm amazed that the council, who are supposed to be working for small businesses, want to bankrupt this family-run firm.
"This means we don't go to Hylands and if we don't go to Hylands we don't go to Chelmsford and spend money there.
"Are they going to close all the streets in Chelmsford in case someone trips up on the pavement?
"It's nothing to do with health and safety – I think it's disgraceful, it's unsubstantiated."
But it does not look like the decision is likely to be reversed.
Councillor Nicolette Chambers, cabinet member for parks, said: "The decision was taken because we monitored the situation in 2007 and decided that dogs were to be allowed in that area but over the years we have experienced problems with a small number of irresponsible dog owners."
Cllr Chambers, who is a dog owner herself, said that there have been six "serious incidents" which have caused injury or damage to café property, one of which happened when a woman broke her wrist and her watch after an incident involving a dog.
"Over time it has become unmanageable," she added.
"We can't have this – we have a duty of care."
She did, however, say that there has been positive feedback as well as the negative, adding that the use of toilet facilities in the new patio area will be reviewed.
"The reaction has been very mixed.
"There have been a very vocal minority who have made their feelings very clear but as well as the criticisms we have had good feedback.
"We were always taught that a dog has to keep its place.
"You can't have dogs where there are children in public. It's very sad that people have reacted the way they have."
More letters pages 16&17
