Camden New Journal - News: Is tree damage paws for alarm?

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Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 6 March 2008

Eleanor Botwright (second from right) with staff and community centre members beside the damaged tree

Is tree damage paws for alarm?

IT is the crime scene with tell-tale clues leading to only one possible suspect description: Dog. Likely to have large claws.
As our picture shows, deep scratch marks have been found on trees in Kentish Town in recent weeks and volunteers are having to bandage up shredded bark with chicken wire.
Eleanor Botwright, from the Castlehaven Community Centre in Castlehaven Road, close to the damaged trees, said: “We have a mature tree, approximately 35 years old, that is, along with several others in the area, being systematically destroyed by an unidentified dog. This really must stop.”
She added: “We have no idea who is doing it. Kids hang their dogs on low tree branches to strengthen their jaws for fighting, but this particular damage is something else.”
Animal expert John Bryant said the damage could only have been caused by “fighter” dogs such as pit bulls and terriers. He said: “It’s macho nonsense. If the bark is badly damaged it opens the tree up to infection and they could die.”
A council press officer said Camden planned to run a “responsible dog owner” course to “offer practical advice on how to keep dogs under control and hopefully prevent incidents of this nature”.

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