ASBO dog man banned from open spaces

A middle-aged man who used his dog to terrorise visitors to parks and open spaces has been banned from stepping foot inside Battersea Park or on Clapham Common for five years.

Harold Hirst, aged 42, from Montefiore Street in Battersea used his Rottweiler to intimidate and harass other park users.

As well as being banned from these open spaces, he is also now prohibited from exercising any dog on any public highway unless it is kept on a leash at all times. He must also keep his Rottweiler muzzled whenever it is in a public place.

If he fails to comply with this court order he faces immediate arrest, and if convicted, could be sent to jail for up to five years and/or face unlimited fines.

The order was imposed by a judge at Kingston Crown Court, after he was convicted of a series of assaults, threats, criminal damage and also of allowing his dog to be dangerously out of control. These offences were committed in Battersea Park and also on Clapham Common.

He was sentenced to 120 hours community service, a 12 month supervision order and a five year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

The case against Mr Hirst was co-ordinated by Met Police's Queenstown ward safer neighbourhoods team, the council's parks police service, the borough's anti-social behaviour unit and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Pc Richard King from the Queenstown SNT said: "Mr Hirst's behaviour and the irresponsible way he looks after his dog has been totally unacceptable. He should be under no illusions as to what our response will be if he breaches his ASBO."

Anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour in the borough can get advice and assistance from the borough's anti-social behaviour unit, which is based in the town hall's technical services department.

Its staff includes a specially seconded police officer and it works in very close partnership with the police, especially the borough's safer neighbourhood teams and other agencies. The unit was set up by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to provide the community with effective solutions to anti-social behaviour problems.

Council tenants or leaseholders should call (020) 8871 6829. People living in privately-owned accommodation should call (020) 8871 8894.