NEW dog fouling laws have been approved in Ryedale despite claims they could endanger a 200-year-old hunting tradition.

The joint Master of the Middleton Hunt, Frank Houghton-Brown, had written to Ryedale District Council expressing alarm at its proposals to designate all public land under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.

He said the hunt was frequently asked to meet in public places such as public houses, car parks or villages. "This is a public spectacle which has gone on in this area for 200 years.

"We are asked to parade the hounds at local agricultural shows or just meet on a village green. With up to 100 hounds this Bill would put this tradition in jeopardy."

But last night the council's head of environment, health and housing, Stephen Oldridge, told councillors: "These bylaws are not intended to attack hunts, they are not intended to inhibit the normal operation of hunts."

He added over half the parishes in Ryedale were already affected by dog fouling bylaws and the council had not had any complaints about hunts. "I see no reason why that should change."

The chairman of the council's environment, health and housing committee, Coun Elizabeth Shields, said there should be a report back to members in six months to see if there had been any complaint about the new rules, which cover recreation grounds, play and picnic areas, churchyards, sports pitches, village greens and car parks.

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