IN response to the letter (April 12) headlined 'Why upset dog owners'. We at Castle Security South West are not a security patrol for Simmons Park (Mayor's Walk) or Kempley Meadow, we are working on behalf of Okehampton Town Council to enforce the bylaws.

These are on display at the entrance to the Mayor's Walk and are also displayed on every entrance, including the to side of every bridge leading to the area.

The bylaws state that 'Dogs must be kept under close control', which for responsible dog owners means that it would be safer to keep dogs on their leads.

The Kempley Meadow side of the park is for free running of dogs.

The security patrol signs are displayed for Okehampton College, which is also having problems with dog walkers, exercising their dogs on the school grounds. They have provided a walkway which goes from the bridge leading to Ball Hill and ends up at Pigs Meadow.

The practice of exercising dogs on the school grounds is a health risk to the children. The senior staff at the college are satisfied that dog walkers use the public footpaths that are running through the grounds of the college to gain access to the Kempley Meadow but would insist that dogs are kept on a lead.

We are not employed to cause upset to anyone but to keep the grounds of Simmons Park and Kempley Meadow safe for local residents and visitors to the town.

The enforcement officers that patrol are highly visible and the 'dog mess' problem has been reduced. Most owners are very happy to follow the bylaws and inform others of the bylaw so there is constantly a safe atmosphere, which we are sure everyone wants, from the elderly to young children.

Castle Security South West