first mate

I have to say that I let my dog have a 5-10 minute bark in the evening- he likes to see what other dogs are out there and they all generally join in briefly, but I would not let it go on for longer than that. I do think dogs get a buzz out of barking, rather like people yelling at football matches. I think fine to let them do a little bit but if you let it go on it can turn into a bad habit. In terms of the original poster, I'm not sure what to believe at the moment.

SC, Unfortunately, as I was told by Southwark recycling yesterday, they only do the brown bin in a half size, none of the others. If we are going back to weekly collections I too would make do with a blue box, if twice weekly I'd need a half-size blue bin, but they don't do those. I've always put my garden waste in the brown bags for collection and so never needed a bin- some weeks there'd be far too much anyway and other weeks none, so brown bin was a waste of space. Now they've introduced this brown food caddy thing I have nowhere to put the full food scraps bags. If I put the scraps in a blue or green bin it'll be wrong. So I'm forced to get a brown bin which means three bins in the space of one- so annoying. Just which the council would think these things through before they foist it on us.

PeterStorm, Part of me is tempted to advise that perhaps the dog would not get sick if it were allowed out to see the fox off. It may have a fear of foxes, but far more likely is that it is exhibiting extremely frustrated prey drive- it is literally worked into a frenzy by the sight/smell/noise of the fox which it wants to get to. It may be a territorial thing but I'd bet the former. Is it a terrier type dog perchance? Anyhow, it won't be the prey drive or being territorial that is making it sick but the fact that it cannot act on an extremely powerful urge to do something that is being frustrated. One way of dealing with it is to go out with the dog, so that it is satisfied that the fox has been seen off. Otherwise keep dog away from that window and avoid trigger for frustration and use distraction at foxing hour so that the dog learns to associate the arrival of foxes with fabulous games. Anyway, you sound a reasonable chap to me so we agree, a bit of give and take all round is all that's needed- dogs left to bark for several hours at a time are most likely very bored and are an animal welfare issue.

peterstorm, I would disagree that dogs barking at wildlife are distressed, most likely they are having a great time. I do agree if the dogs really are barking for hours on end that is one thing, but from what another poster has written it sounds as though this is not the case. All of us can get irritated by any number of noises- babies crying, children practicing their musical instruments after school- badly; endless building noises...the list goes on, but there has to be a bit of live and let live.

James, I don't think it's been thought through either. I'm very happy to recycle by why have they not thought to offer two sizes of bin? That way those who produce less waste could fit three smaller bins in the space of one and a half. Additionally, why can't all the bins be green or brown and simply colour coded by sticking something on the top, rendering them less of an eyesore. Why does the council always have to treat people as though they are at primary school- ie the blue bins I agree with Sue, aesthetics are important to many people and these bins are ugly with a capital U. Who chose the colour and when were we consulted? When were we consulted about each getting three huge bins to fit in the space of one bin. The mini food waste bin with its special compostable bags, stinks to high heaven so I cannot see myself continuing with that. Grrrrr.

eedee, Oh for goodness sake. Surely children can cope with the sound of a dog barking and 8pm is hardly late. What with the noise of traffic, areoplanes, sirens, car alarms etc...etc.. that blight our urban soundscape from dawn till dusk, I'm amazed that dogs barking are singled out. I suppose next it'll be birds that tweet too late in the evening....oh wait, I do recall someone complaining about that too.

DM, What an odd reaction- do you have major problems with empathy? garnwba, Hope they catch whoever did it.

Squirrels can also make a lot of noise from loud screaming and barky alarm calls to this baby type noisehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WILefPsS13g&feature=related

More fox calls/vocalisations

Follow and listen to this link. If this is what you hear then it is definitely foxes.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur-oXj4D9wE

James and Renata, With regard to use of the Rye for more schools as a playing field, as many of us have already pointed out, the park was never designed to be a school playing field. Repeated and regular use by many schools would change the park beyond recognition- we've been through the details many times. It would no longer be a park but an extension of the various schools.

I shall be looking out for Mark of the Park from now on.

DJQ, Of course it isn't all footballers. The ones I've seen on Peckham have all been adult males or much older boys. I have though seen younger boys (12-14'ish) doing this in Dulwich Park and on one occasion took issue with the adult males supervising them. I am pleased to say that I have never, ever seen a female footballer behave this way :)

AM- With respect that response is a little barking.

James, I'm happy to admit I may not have noticed Mark- but let's have more Marks. Perhaps there could be voluntary Park Wardens in the same way we have specials etc..? As DJQ has said, most of us are normal, empathetic beings, who believe in all rubbing along with a little give and take. Finally, I believe one of the greatest public menaces is the so-called status dogs that are allowed to walk the streets offlead. These represent a massive hazard to other dogs and thereby potentially to owners and other people. I am tired of rounding a corner to be met by some offlead pitbull mix. I guess you'd have to be a dog owner to fully appreciate how difficult this kind of situation is. In addition, it is awful for those who are scared of dogs as they also see that the dog is apparently free to do as it pleases. People who are scared may panic and the dog sensing a high arousal situation may growl or bark or in very rare circumstances bite. If a way could be found to ensure dogs must be kept on lead on the public highways and streets life would be a lot more relaxed all round. In my view, this is a much more important issue than dogs in parks.

Mark, It sounds as though you are doing a great job, but if you are spread around so many parks perhaps there need to be more of you. Renata, I would advise some discreet observation at football matches at the weekend, in the areas mentioned. Morning to lunch seems to be the time most play. Again, could I ask you to explore with your fellow councillors ways in which people can be made to keep their dogs on lead when on public streets outside of the park. It is my understanding that there is enough existing legislation within the various road and traffic bylaws and within dog legislation to make this enforceable.

Peckham Parkie, So glad you are around. The only problem is, and I do not mean to be difficult, is that in the many years of walking my dog, nearly every morning and weekend in Peckham Rye Park, I have never seen you. Not once. It is great that you have issued fixed penalty notices for those who let their dog foul and do not pick up, but public urinaters only get a ticking off? I thought public urination, where there is no effort to be discreet and hide, was as a public order offence? This does seem a rather strange order of priorities by Southwark Council.

Alan, Just to be clear, are you saying you are in favour of public widdling, because either it's okay or it is not. If okay, imagine if everyone did it? There you walking along and the woman in front of you squats to have a piddle- but it's only natural you say. Why stop there, let's get people defecating in the park too. The footballers have access to the same loos as everyone else, why not use them? Moreover, those I have seen widdling make no attempt at all to be discreet. Most people, whether it's down to conditioning or not, do not particularly want to be confronted by some sweaty footballer pissing against the nearest tree. I think it's bad manners and uncalled for, when there are public loos so close by. If some one is genuinely caught short that is different, but they'd make a real effort to stay out of view. The guys I have seen just let it all hang out for all to see.

Or having the last word. Go on, can you resist...can you?

Alright e-d, on current form, you of all people, should understand a little oTT'ness when one is trying to DRIVE a point home. Renata, I'm sure you will take my comments on board. The public widdling is, I'd guess, a simple matter of laziness and manners and easily sorted. Dog walkers tend to talk to each other about behaviour that is bothering others, so I am sure word will get round about the fenced garden areas. Scary people with status dogs are a whole different ball game and none of us like them or want them. As I have already said, a hard look at what can be done to make people keep their dogs leashed on the street would help in all kinds of ways. A lot of 'status dog' owners seem to have an aversion to leashing their dog on the street. Making them do so would ensure their dog is much more under control and the effort of leashing might even deter them from ownership, you never know.

Renata, I've seen public urination by Rye footballers on three occasions in the last year. I didn't take in the detail- as I am sure you will understand under the circumstances. It was the area to the left of the cafe on the Rye and not far from the children's play area. Forgive me, but when you use a phrase like "antisocial behaviour or dog problems", it does sound as though you are singling out dog matters. Why not just refer to the whole lot as anti-social behaviour? Walking the dog in the park is an important leisure,exercise and lifestyle choice for a great many responsible, borough tax payers and voters. While I agree that people need to be reminded that some areas of the park are better served by dogs remaining on leash, your use of the term 'enforcement' suggests a very different agenda and this is what worries many of us. Please try to focus on the issues that really matter, like muggings in the park etc.. rather than reacting with so much alacrity to an issue like a friendly family dog jumping over a park fence. AS an aside, I do wish you at the council would put as much effort into getting people to keep their dogs on leash on the street, as you do to issues like the above. The street issue could make a great deal of difference all round and would really serve the public, in my view.

e-dealer, I'm more concerned that the council is not singling out dog owners for special treatment. So I am interested in Renata's response to other, arguably more serious misdeeds, that have been witnessed on the Rye of late. The introduction of Park Wardens would be a neat way to deal with all the various problems, Dog Control Orders would deal with a tiny bit- yet,in my view, there seems to be a remarkably high level of enthusiasm by some on the council for Dog Control Orders.

Renata, I will ferret around and try to find and post a picture of post-picnic detritus left on the Rye recently. Including empty cans and bottles, and various bits of congealed half-eaten food. Quite revolting. Then of course, there are the men, part of an organised football game on the Rye, that I have seen urinating in full view of the park public and children. Will you be pressing for enforcement on these kinds of behaviour too? Many thanks.

Spitting, if not illegal perhaps it should be. Disgusting habit and think of all those germs. Not sure if current ' No Dog' signs are illegal, strictly speaking, either. Nonetheless, if people don't start showing a little consideration around reasonable requests as to where they can walk their dog offlead, then hard and harsh Dog Control Orders will be implemented any time soon and tears will flow. So, in part I'm with you on this, just so long as you are not singling dog owners out. As I've said before, I don't like canine feaces left on the streets for us all to skid in, but I get really cross about broken glass too, and few people seem so bothered by that. Broken glass is darn dangerous and can impart a very nasty infection.

e-dealer, I think you make a fair point. I too would like to see the park rules/requests adhered to to make life pleasant and fair for all park users, and to stop more grist for the anti-dog brigade's mill. I also agree about other anti-social behaviour, to which you refer. I have not seen if you have already posted about these but no doubt you will soon do so, supplying photo evidence of people spitting in the street; widdling in public; throwing glass and food litter around etc.. etc..