RESIDENTS have accused the organisers of a community bonfire of a lack of care after reports two dogs had to have emergency treatment because of metal nails left in the park from the event.
Northallerton Town Council organises the bonfire in the Applegarth Park area. The event attracts thousands of people to the town, but after this year's event on November 5, nails from the bonfire have been left for weeks in the park area. Notices have been put up warning that the clean up is ongoing, but residents say this is not enough.
Householder Jennifer Parten said: "Bonfire night is a difficult time for many pet owners with animals as they can often struggle with the loud bangs, but now the fact the council have left the dog park in Applegarth park such a mess is upsetting for the residents of the town. This space is a fantastic resource that many dog owners use, and it’s so disappointing it’s been left in a dangerous and unusable state after the November 5 event.
The warning sign at Northallerton park
"We frequent the field often, and finding so many nails left after the bonfire was very disappointing. As well as this, the fence has been left in disarray, meaning smaller dogs could easily escape into the busy car park. After raising our concerns on Facebook, we have been made aware that a couple of dogs have had to be rushed to the vets due to infected wounds in their pet’s paws after they have become punctured by iron nails left in the field after the wood had been burnt. We are so disappointed in the council’s lack of care and pace in rectifying the problem despite raising awareness a week ago. All they have done is leave signs saying it will be resolved but haven’t made the space safe with locking the entrance gate."
In a statement, Northallerton Town Council said: "The site belongs to the town council, we organise the bonfire and remove any debris after it each year. Notices are in place to advise that the process to remove any remnants of the wood used is still ongoing. The town council is keen to ensure continued safe use of its amenities space for the bonfire, other events and for residents and visitors to benefit from the enclosed area for other purposes, such as exercising dogs."
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