FOR months I've been barking on about the number of dogs tied up around the area.
Like many, I'm appalled at how people can leave them to jump around and snap at passers-by, driving workers, shoppers and tourists crazy with incessant yelping and snarls of distress.
If you're bored of reading about it this subject then turn away. If you're fed-up of watching their proud owners being dragged around our towns by pitbulls and Rottweilers, then stick with me.
For starters, who takes their canine for a walk in a shopping centre? Why not go to the park or the beach? Simple. They're a status symbol - they must be seen.
Anyway, mustn't worry, or so I thought - Denbighshire's trusted dog wardens will sort the problem out. In fact, I asked them a series of questions on the issue:
l Which dogs are classed as "violent" and need a muzzle?
l Is there a time limit on how long a dog can be tied up to a lamppost or fence?
l Who or what decides where the warden is based?
l Are they aware of the issue of unmuzzled pitbull terriers and Rottweilers being tied up in Rhyl and left for hours?
I'd called several times and had no response from the warden.
I wanted to ask why they spend so little time in Rhyl, when Rhyl is the busiest town in the county.
Anyway, a week or so after my e-mail, I received the following from the council:
l They argue that there are four types of dog named by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pitbull terrier; Japanese Tosa; the Dogo Argentino; and the Fila Braziliero.
l The two wardens are not responsible for dogs tied-up on our streets, as they only deal with strays. This is a matter for the RSPCA, as "the role of the dog wardens is multi tasked and includes pest control duties as well".
l Work is distributed each morning by the senior officer for that section, and they do respond to calls from the general public regarding stray dogs roaming in a public place.
l Dangerous dogs are dealt with by the Police Authority, and dog wardens will assist if required, but only during normal working hours.
And finally: "The comment made by several business owners that they are fed up with dog owners tying up their animals and walking off sometimes in the rain or even sunshine would be again a matter for the RSPCA."
So tax payers fund two dog wardens and the responsibilities you'd expect them to fulfil are under the remit of North Wales Police Authority and RSPCA?
What exactly are pest control duties? Are dog wardens now catching rats? I think not. This is ruff justice! Talk about passing the buck.

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