Dogs being blamed for 'chewing' equipment at Pencaitland Park

Equipment has been removed from the park, with a dog or dogs being accused of “chewing” on rubber play equipment.

Already, replacement seats have had to be fitted to a seesaw, while the basket swing has also been damaged.

The issue at Pencaitland Park was highlighted to the village’s community council.

Ralph Averbuch, acting chairman of the group, took to social media to raise awareness of the problem.

READ MORE: Pencaitland: Dog owners urged to ‘take lead’ and clean up mess

He said that there was the “perennial issue” of people not clearing up after their pets in the play area.

However, there was also the problem of equipment being damaged.

The play equipment is being damaged so badly that East Lothian Council is having to remove the equipment.

He said: “The appeal is, if you have a dog and are going into the play park - which ideally they should not be going in - if you are, not to let your dog chew the play equipment because the chances are we will end up losing it permanently.”

Equipment has been damaged in the play park in Pencaitland (Image: Google Maps)

Now, members of the local authority’s community protection team are keeping an eye out to try to identify the misbehaving dog.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “Unfortunately there has been repeated damage to some of the play equipment in Pencaitland Park play area caused by a dog chewing and biting the rubber surrounds and seats of some of the play items.

“This has caused damage and we have had to remove and replace the rubber seesaw seats at a cost to the council on two previous occasions.

“Following a third incident, we had to remove the seesaw from Pencaitland Park as the seats had become so badly chewed that the unit was no longer safe.

“We are monitoring the rubber bumpers on the basket swing as well as they are still being chewed and if these also become unsafe we will have to remove the swing seat from the frame.

“Community protection officers have been deployed to this area following the previous occurrences; however, they have been unable to identify the culprit.

READ MORE: Dog fouling issue highlighted at The Sands in Haddington

“The issue was raised at Pencaitland Community Council to make local residents aware of the reasons for the removal and in the hope that we might be able to identify the dog owner responsible.

“We know how valued our play areas are and the teams work hard to provide and maintain safe spaces for children to enjoy.

“It’s really disappointing that local children are not having access to the full range of equipment due to the thoughtless actions of a pet owner, particularly when there are so many other environments nearby more suited to exercising a dog than a children’s play park.

“Members of the public can report damage to the play equipment by contacting the Community Protection Team on 01875 824 307.

“All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.”