Hello,

I went out for a long dog walk this morning. Longer than planned as my companion and I were tailed at close quarters by two "dog wardens" from PCC.

We were walking our dogs at Deans Cross field when two men purporting to be dog wardens interrupted a group conversation and asked for our names and details. We walked on.

They followed us for at least two hours.

We are both senior citizens (73 and 76) and my companion has an unreliable heart for which he has a pacemaker. He also has diabetes, which has a tendency to make him unsteady on his feet at times.

The “wardens" were tailing us at close quarters, constantly intimidating us and harrying us. They called the police on several occasions.

We went for a coffee, they followed us in the cafe.

My companion told them he had a pacemaker and was feeling unwell. He was in need of sitting down. They said that their job was to follow us, and if it took all day, they would continue and even do overtime.

We had walked at Dean Cross, through Pomphlett, to the Morrisson's roundabout, down the Breakwater Rd, to the boat yard where we stopped to rest. They stood outside while I used the toilet, then they followed us back to the roundabout and along the old railway line to Oreston School and through to Radford Park and then up toward the Broadway.

After two hours of harassment, I suggested we stop at Dean Cross Surgery, where the staff were very helpful. They could see that the gentleman was unwell and agreed to have him checked out.

The police arrived at the surgery and checked that my companion was having a check-up with the doctor. We can’t thank Dean Cross surgery enough! They already had a busy caseload for the day, but fitted him in anyway.

The police told the “wardens" to disappear and we were able to walk home in peace.

On the way home, we toured Dean Cross fields and videoed the perimeter. There are four entrances to the fields and we did not see any signage to show the council’s policy. Our video is 10 minutes long, but available if you want to see it

We submit a clip of the “wardens”.

This behaviour by PCC agents is wholly disproportionate and unreasonable and reflects badly on this council.

Regards,

Judy Latimer

(I sent this letter to the Plymouth Herald today.The photos I took showed two ‘wardens’ with no uniform, dressed for anything but professional duties. I’ll post them if I can).