Frome Town Council will not proceed with a permanent proposed dog agility area at the Old Showfield following a consultation and online residents’ survey.
An event in April, alongside a pop-up dog agility activity with Charismatic Pets, indicated significant interest in a designated dog area.
However, following a review of all communication received about the project, the council has decided there is not sufficient enthusiasm for a permanent installation in the back field.
Local charity Dogs for Health will be hosting a pop-up dog exercise and play session on Saturday, October 12, between 11.30am and 1.30pm in the back field at the Showfield.
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Amy Wood, of Dogs for Health, said: “We were looking forward to joining Frome Town Council last month to talk to dog walkers about our regular groups and activities, while council staff shared plans for the dog field.
“Sadly, the very wet weather meant the event had to be postponed, having already been delayed by very hot weather.
“Although the permanent equipment at the Showfield isn’t going ahead, if there’s enough interest in our pop-up activity on Saturday, Dogs for Health may run more sessions in the future, at the Showfield or other green spaces in Frome. Come and find out about what we do and enjoy some quality time with your dog on October 12.’
Cllr Mark Dorrington said: “It’s a shame that the weather prevented us from speaking to dog owners in more detail about the dog area plans – twice.
“However, the consensus from our survey, particularly from some residents of the Stonebridge estate and from people who contacted us independently, indicate that there aren’t enough people in favour of anything permanent for dogs in the back field.
“At Frome Town Council we always consult people before we act and sometimes that means that we don’t act at all.
“Many thanks to Charis and the team at Charismatic Pets for all their help to date and to Dogs for Health for offering to run an event on 12th October – come and talk to them about the great work they do around Frome.”
The pop-up dog agility event takes place at the Old Showfield on Saturday, October 12, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. No need to book, just drop in. Enquiries and feedback about FTC’s work is welcomed at any time [email protected].