OFFICERS from the police and Coventry City Council are taking action to stop a possible unauthorised event by a large group of dog owners and their pets in a local park.
The American Bully Kennel Club event was due to take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on February 11.
The get-together was cancelled after concerns were raised about status dog events on a recent episode of the BBC’s Panorama, but officers have been made aware of social media accounts suggesting owners should instead meet up elsewhere in Coventry.
The city council has said it would not give permission for any of its parks or public spaces to be used for this event and joint measures are being taken with the police to stop any meeting being held.
Anyone who goes against instructions may also face arrest and the police and council have urged private premises or landowners approached by organisers to do so with caution.
The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for parks, Coun Abdul Khan, said: “It would be unfair and irresponsible to allow a situation where unsuspecting park users could be faced with large numbers of dogs, with no official organisation or safety measures in place to protect them.
“We are not demonising these dogs or their owners, we are just asking the organisers to find their own private venue should they wish to hold meetings such as these and not effectively ambush a local park and unsuspecting park users, where they can cause fear, alarm and distress.”
Insp Amy Wright, from Coventry Police, added the force’s priority was to ensure the safety of all park-goers.
