Reader raises concerns over dogs in parks
City Parks responded after a resident raised concerns regarding a dog with no water at a park in Melrose, that strict monitoring of dogs’ welfare in parks will be a norm.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has responded to the concerns of a reader regarding a dog kept on chains in the park. The reader, Renee Marks, expressed that she had read an article about upgrades to City Parks titled New developments of James and Ethel Gray Park unveiled as published online in the Rosebank Killarney Gazette [November 2, 2021].
“While I think this initiative is amazing, I am deeply concerned that City Parks have hired a security company that keeps poor dogs on chains the whole day. A few months ago, on a boiling hot day I drove into Acrobranch by [James and Ethel Gray Park] which is also part of Joburg parks and saw this magnificent dog with a chain around his neck. When I asked the security where the dog’s water was, he told me it was finished.
“While I think this upgrade to all these parks is necessary, I strongly believe that we need to look after our fur babies,” said Marks as she expressed her concerns on July 2.
Joburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley responded on July 22, “Thank you to the caring Caxton reader who alerted us to the concern of the canine unit deployed at James and Ethel Gray Park not receiving adequate care.
“We have since met with the service provider and issued an instruction to ensure that water is provided in various parts of the park. A resident will also provide the necessary monitoring and additional water if required, to ensure that security dogs in the park are provided with additional water.”
Moodley added that stemming from the complaint, the monitoring unit and the manager that oversees the canine security units, will also ensure that dogs deployed to other parks are properly taken care of.
She concluded, “We urge residents to send an email to Jackson Mhlanga on jmhlanga@jhbcityparks.com to report their concerns relative to private security in public parks in the City of Joburg.”
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