Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com

• NATALIE Scott’s complaints about the decision of Hampstead Heath Committee to introduce new guidelines for professional dog walkers revealed everything one needs to know about the attitude of professional dog walkers, (Flawed new rules planned for professional dog walkers, December 31).

I have walked on the Heath for over 50 years and I walk there now on an almost daily basis. The numbers of professional walkers is way higher now than at any previous time and I regularly see walkers with six, seven or eight dogs “under their control”.

One can often hear them trying to control their dogs with their repeated calls, whistles, and shouts, and I have been harassed by their dogs several times while feeding the swans and / or ducks on the ponds.

Their dogs try to take the bird food from my hands and scare the birds. On one occasion, when I dared to complain, I was told by a dog owner that “this is a f***ing dog park mate!”.

Dogs are pack animals and when they are off their leads and running at you, as a group they are not under control and it is intimidating and potentially dangerous.

The committee consulted Heath users in 2019 about dog walkers, reflected upon the findings, and have made a considered and responsible decision, for which I fully commend them.

I wonder how many will respect the rule of no more than four dogs each? Well done to the committee.

STEVE NIGHTINGALE,
NW3