A COUNCILLOR has urged residents to report owners of lurcher dogs to the police following an ‘intimidating’ incident in his ward.

Councillor Gerald Lee, ward councillor for Heighington and Coniscliffe, recently expressed his concerns about lurcher dogs in the area.

A young man walking in Redworth wood was left feeling threatened and intimidated by a group of eight men with lurcher dogs.

In an email, Cllr Lee said: “As he walked through the wood he found a fox that had been mauled and whilst he could not say if the killing had been done by the lurchers it seems a good bet that it was.

“On his return he had to pass the dogs and their owners once again and this was not a pleasant experience.”

He added: “Threatening behaviour and intimidation, lurchers killing our animals and the lurchers accompanied by unsavoury characters are all unacceptable to the way of life we live and the quality of life we share, so we all must try to stop these kinds of activities which are abhorrent to us all.

“We are all fortunate to be living in a wonderful area with lots of wildlife surrounding us.

“It is important we respect our good fortune by doing all we can to protect the woods and all of the animals and bird life that life there.”

Urging residents in the area to be vigilant when out walking or driving, he continued: “If you see people with lurcher dogs ring the police immediately.

“If you see vehicles parked along any of the roads that provide access into the wood, take down the registration number and if possible, the make and colour of the vehicle and feed it to the police or myself.”