I AM A member of a conservation volunteer group which regularly works with a ranger at Waterhall.

I rather like (well behaved) dogs, but am amazed that some owners and professional walkers think that dogs take precedence over wildlife, grazing animals, and even humans.

The dew pond at Waterhall supports a rich variety of wildlife which needs some peace to breed, and when we have built a “dead hedge” around it to protect these creatures it is disheartening to find parts deliberately destroyed, as we have in the past, so that dogs may rush into it.

I have sometimes counted up to 12 dogs with one walker. We have been asked to look out for dogs that have gone astray whilst in the care of walkers, and one walker with many charges was unaware she had left a small whippet behind until we rang the owner’s number on the dog’s ID disc.

I believe that in London parks professional walkers are restricted to six dogs, and must be licensed. Brighton and Hove City Council would be well advised to follow suit.

As for dog faeces, how about flicking it off the footpaths and into the undergrowth, where no one will tread in it and it will rot down naturally, as recommended by the National Trust.

I believe there is still a large fenced area in Withdean Park where dogs may roam off leads.

Lynne MacLeod

Hangleton