dogs

[esoxed]

over the last month ive come across 4 people fishing with a dog for company while accepting that special permission can be giot to take a dog with you none of these anglers seem to have any disabilities (i can only think that being visualv impaired is the only good reason for having a guide dog in attendance).I would hope these anglers concerned would take a look through thier handbook for rules of the association.Before any of them say bet hes not got a dog i would have liked to take our family german shepherd (if the rules permited it) with me for the last 9 yearsHope these anglers take heed of the rules in futureAny comments from our bailiffs would be welcome.

[Metalhead]

The rules are quite clear on this point. General Rule 7 states:

Dogs are not allowed to accompany anglers.

There is no distinction between waters where NAA owns the land or waters where a public right of way exists, such as the T&M Canal towpath or the Weaver Way.

I appreciate that some members may have dogs which are excellent company and may be very well behaved. However, the rule is there to prevent unruly dogs from making a nuisance of themselves and from fouling the banks. As for the general public; unfortunately we can't do anything about their unruly dogs when they are in a public place, but we can keep them off our land - as at Hulses Island, Big Billinge etc.

I dealt with a member on the Oak Tree yesterday, who had a dog with him and also tinned dog food. Of course, tins are not allowed either. If members choose to ignore the rules to suit their own purposes they will render themselves liable to disciplinary action. It's as simple as that.

Mark

Head Bailiff