Danger dogs attack trees in Walsall
Dangerous dogs have savaged trees in a Walsall street, ripping off the bark and destroying at least one, residents have claimed.
A maple has been wrecked and is among 10 trunks in Helston Road, Park Hall, with scratch marks.
Paddock ward councillor Rose Martin said householders had reported that dogs including a Staffordshire Bull Terrier had been spotted tearing strips of bark from saplings.
Councillor Martin said: "This is absolutely terrible. These dogs have completely destroyed this one tree. Several others along the road have been vandalised. They are beautiful trees and I'm being told by the residents that dogs are responsible for causing this level of damage.
"Whoever is responsible for letting animals like these out should be caught and held to account. At one stage we feared there was a Japanese Akita roaming the streets. Whatever breed is doing this they have to be stopped. Anyone could be walking along this street and come face to face with it."
Peter Washbrook, whose granddaughter Amy Hryhoruk, now 11, was bitten on the back of her head when she attacked by a Japanese Akita called Diesel, in Rushall, three years ago said he was shocked by the state of the trees.
"There's obviously a dog out of control if it's literally attacking the trees. It's had a go at 10 trees and a hedge and if it's attacking trees it might attack people.
"Now that the Dangerous Dog Act was changed last year the council can take action against the owner," Mr Washbrook, aged 66, said.
Nationally, there have been reports of dogs savaging trees in green spaces in London, Bristol, Manchester and Liverpool to strengthen the jaws of fighting dogs, and to build up their jumping and shoulder strength. The matter has been reported to Walsall Police and to town hall tree officers.
