New sign at Otley nature reserve slammed as 'overkill'

The 'dos and don'ts' sign at Gallows Hill welcomes visitors and then urges them to 'help us ensure everyone can enjoy this space' by sticking to eight rules.

Those include prohibitions on dog fouling, fly tipping, overnight parking, littering, camping, fires, and horses, along with an instruction to keep dogs on a lead.

Owned and maintained by Otley Town Council, the riverside site has been subject to littering and dog fouling problems for some time.

But dog owner Alan Newbolt, posting a photo of the sign with a lengthy comment on the Otley - Our Town Facebook page last week, condemned the council's response.

Claiming the notice showed 'contempt' for the intelligence of residents, his post attracted dozens of responses.

Many shared his viewpoint, with Julie Davies posting: "Is there anything that you are allowed to do down there? and Carla Wright claiming: "This is utterly ridiculous. My dog will not be on a lead."

Michael Smith added: "Getting to the stage we'll just have to stay at home with the dogs."

Mr Newbolt said: "It appears Otley Town Council cannot wait to show their contempt for the intelligence of the people using the area.

"God only knows how much the sign cost, but the dos and don'ts stated on it are standards that are obvious to normal thinking people.

"Although the area is a well-known dog exercise area that exercise is now to be restricted because the sign says dogs are to be kept on leads.

"I exercise my mutts there regularly and it is rare that I see other owners with their dog on a lead.

"If the sign has to stay as a reminder of how thick we all are, then at least erase the dog lead rule."

Otley Town Council Chair Ray Georgeson, however, has defended the move - and told the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer that the notice is definitely needed.

He said: "I'm disappointed if people, especially dog owners, think the sign is 'over the top' or stating the obvious' as, sadly, basic messages still have to be relayed for some people.

"If those commenters don't believe this, they are welcome to join me, Councillor Ray Smith and others on a 'dog poo' and 'fag end' tour sometime!

"Like others, having spent many hours cleaning up the mess left by a minority in support of the great effort for Otley in Bloom last week, I do not consider the notice to be over the top.

"It will be a great day when we don't need such notices.

"I remain grateful to the responsible dog owners for their continued co-operation in removing their dogs' faeces when in Gallows Hill."

Others also backed the council online.

Former town councillor John Eveleigh posted: "I do have some sympathy with what the current council are trying to do.

"Considerable expense has been incurred in recent years in upgrading the footpaths and addressing the trees and plants on the site for a minority of people to abuse and spoil it for the rest.

"Don't know if the sign is right - but what is the alternative?"