Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners have been ‘dismayed’ to find considerable damage caused to trees planted at the soon to be developed park site at Ballakilley.
The Commissioners say that uncontrolled dogs ‘clearly to blame’ for the damage.
The site which lies to the south of Rushen Church was planted with trees last year by volunteers from the Isle of Man Woodland Trust and Utmost International Isle of Man and has been maintained by the Commissioners since then.
Ballakilley Damage
The local authority have placed the following notice at their soon to be developed park site at Ballakilley:
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners would be grateful to anyone who can help in identifying the dog owner who is willfully allowing their animal to rip out the tree protection tubes, saplings and stakes in the adjoining field.
Considerable time and effort as well as ratepayers’ money has been expended in setting up this planting scheme and consequently the Commissioners are determined to see this individual prosecuted.
If you have any information which will help us, please ring 456784, 416221 or 834501
Shock and disappointment
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioner David Radcliffe participated in the planting and has helped maintain the trees.
He explained his shock and disappointment at what he had witnessed, “There’s not much maintenance work to do over the winter so I hadn’t visited the site for a few months so what I witnessed was quite soul destroying.
“Hours of hard work ruined by someone who apparently thinks it’s okay for their dog to destroy Commissioners’ property and wreck many hours of volunteer work.
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioner David Radcliffe
“It is clear that a dog has been allowed to rip up the protection tubes, snap the stakes holding the tubes and in some cases rip up the trees too.
“It’s hard to imagine how the dog owner can be so irresponsible and the Commissioners will prosecute them if sufficient evidence can be obtained.”
The field in which the damage has been done has not yet been officially opened to the public and the Commissioners will reluctantly take measures to ensure the field is inaccessible if the damage continues.
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