Manchester City Council in churchyard crackdown after vicar 'savaged' by Alsatian » Local Government » 24dash.com

Dog owners may have to keep their pets on leads in churchyards under proposals being put forward after an Alsatian savagely attacked a female vicar.

The Manchester City Council move comes after Reverend Hilary Evans was bitten five times by an Alsatian in her own churchyard in September.

The animal was loose in the grounds of St Peter's Church on Old Market Street in Blackley village when it jumped on Rev Evans, knocking her to the ground and leaving her covered in bruises.

The vicar has given her backing to the scheme which she hopes will stop elderly people being intimidated by dogs as they go to put flowers on their loved ones' graves.

Since the attack, the church has also had problems with a Rottweiler being let off its lead and allowed to wander through the graveyard, and volunteers working there have been given dog alarms.

Now, the city council is asking Mancunians what they think about the move, which will include 100s of places of worship across the city, including the grounds of mosques, synagogues and temples as well as churches.

Dog owners will have 45 days to express their views on the proposals, which if agreed will come into effect in late January.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "We're doing this in response to a savage attack on a vicar in her own churchyard, and we've acted to introduce this plan as quickly as possible, as it's vital incidents like this don't happen again.

"We don't believe responsible dog owners will object to this proposal, as we are simply asking them to leave their dogs on leads when they walk through the churchyard's gate."

Rev Evans said: "I'm glad something is being done about this because I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through. If I had been an elderly person or a child I might not be here now to talk about it.

"People shouldn't have to worry about being intimidated by dogs in places where they go to grieve or to worship."