BARNET: Vicious dogs encouraged to bark up the wrong tree

11:12am Friday 16th May 2008

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Vicious dogs are being trained to fight by owners who encourage them to attack trees in a Hendon park.

Dog owners have been seen hanging dogs from branches by their teeth to make them more aggressive, sharpen their teeth and build up their neck muscles to give them a more dangerous appearance.

The illegal practice has ripped the bark off and killed a number of trees in Hendon Park, off Queens Road, Hendon, prompting police to mount regular patrols in the park and Barnet Council to take preventative action.

Sharon Silverblatt, 43, whose home in Park View Gardens backs on to the park, said: "Some fabulous trees have been damaged and some of the new trees completely and utterly destroyed.

"The patrols haven't made any difference as far as I'm aware. Every morning there's more damage and nobody seems to be able to put a stop to it."

An RSPCA spokesman said the phenomenon was quite common in London parks.

"It certainly should be discouraged - anything that's done to make dogs more aggressive should be," she said.

"It's done to strengthen their jaws so they're better fighters and to make them look tougher.

"It's a great worry that people are encouraging their dogs to fight with other dogs, which is why they do it. It's not pleasant for the dog either - none of us would like to be left hanging off a tree."

Barnet Council officers are in the process of sourcing products that can be placed on or around the trees to dissuade dogs from attacking them, and a spokesman said metal guards will be installed around some trees later this week.

He said: "The damage caused to trees in Hendon Park has been caused by a minority of irresponsible dog owners. It is not possible to install a tree guard around every tree in the park, but the police are carrying out extra patrols in the park and a security company was employed for a short time to halt the abuse."

Last year Southwark Council, in south-east London, smeared lubricating grease on park trees, among other measures, to stop dogs attacking.

A Southwark Council spokeswoman said: "Anecdotally, it has been very successful."

Owners caught encouraging their dogs to attack trees could face charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act, breaching animal welfare or criminal damage. No one has yet been charged.