ON the afternoon of Saturday, May 23 I was walking back through the Meadows, alongside the river in company with my partner when we came across a dog, apparently unacompanied, walking in the opposite direction.

Having checked the immediate vicinity for any sign of its owner, without success, I checked his collar and found an address and phone number.

Having attempted to make contact with the owner and leaving messages on his mail service we decided to take the dog to the police station.

We were able to make contact with a very helpful officer who did his best to try and find a suitable solution to the situation but as it was impossible to contact the dog warden on the emergency number at West Devon Council we elected to take the dog home with us and wait for the owner to call.

Halfway home my mobile phone rang and we managed to establish that the owner was in the vicinity of the Meadows swimming pool so we retraced our steps and returned him to his owner.

The conversation which took place between myself and the owner went along the following lines. 'Here is your dog, how did he manage to escape?'

'Oh, he didn't escape he usually just walks around the park while I play tennis.'

I pointed out that dogs were meant to be kept on a lead in the park. I also pointed out the time and inconvenience it had caused me (nearly one hour in total) in returning his dog and that I had probably saved him the cost of recovering the dog from the warden.

His response was a couldn't care less attitude that if this had been London nobody would have bothered.

I am sure he may think it fine to allow his dog to roam freely around the Meadows whilst he goes off and plays tennis, yes this was his excuse! Perhaps he ought to train him to clean up after himself and then he can really justify himself!

David Draper 

Tiddy Close

Tavistock