Hackney Greens Statement about dogs in Abney Park and animal welfare position.

Hackney’s green spaces are precious and we recognise how important our parks, marshes and rivers are for our wellbeing and recreation. The Green Party is passionate about protecting the animals we share this planet with - in the recent General Election we proposed the creation a new Commission on Animal Protection.

In Hackney, when the council wanted residents views on dogs off leads in Abney Park, Hackney Greens promoted the council's consultation. . Green councillors acknowledged concerns about the lack of space for dogs to express their natural behaviours off-lead and space for dogs to play and be trained in Hackney. We did not come out in favour of banning dogs off-lead in Abney Park.

Our two Green councillors are in Dalston and Hackney Downs but often get contacted by residents across the borough on important issues - they were contacted about this issue but only by a few residents so waited to see the results from the consultation and committed to making sure the council listened to residents.

We’re not aware of any councillors of any party speaking out publicly on this issue before the end of the consultation.

Green Group co-leader Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock said: "Greens listen to residents and push the council to listen. Greens did not endorse the Trust's position. We are an evidence-led Party so we asked for specific evidence that dogs were harming the environment and did not see any.”

“We listened to dog walkers and we promoted engagement with the consultation. We recognised that there's a real lack of space for dogs to be off lead in Hackney and that this is one of the things that makes Abney Park so special and unique.”

“We have also listened to residents in Stoke Newington and engaged with the Trust around other issues that the park faces and we advocated on behalf of residents against the Labour administration's events licence application which included very late hours and didn't have a proper event management plan in place."

Candidate for the Stoke Newington by-election Liam Davis (pictured above and below with Luna) has said: 

"Spaces like Abney Park and Stoke Newington Common are cherished parts of our community, offering places for relaxation, recreation, and connection. My goal is to safeguard these spaces and ensure they remain welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.”

“I was aware of the proposal last year to require dogs to be kept on leads in Abney Park and the community response that led to the Council deciding not to proceed. That’s why it’s so important that any decisions about policies like these are guided by a thorough evidence based, consultation process, ensuring that all voices are heard. This means consultations should not be conducted quietly online, without widespread awareness, as often seems to happen in Hackney.”

“Residents should have the final say in how our shared spaces are used, and I was really impressed by the community organising such an effective campaign around this issue. I do not want to see this issue opened up again.”

“A personal concern of mine is the issue of dog waste being left on pavements and in parks. There are some straightforward solutions to push for on this front, including better signage, increased availability of dog waste disposal bins, biodegradable bags, and potentially more visible park wardens, so that we can encourage more responsible dog ownership.”

“I know what an important part of the family dogs can be, from my own experience with my family companion Luna, and the many times I’ve walked with friends’ dogs around Abney Park"

Liam Davis and the Greens do not want to see the consultation reopened in the same way that the Labour administration has reopened the consultation on closing affordable children's centres. 

At the recent Green Party conference, members voted for a policy to ban greyhound racing and a ban on the use of a whip in horse racing due to the deaths and suffering the gambling industry causes these animals. This makes the Green Party the first party to pledge to ban greyhound racing, a position supported by the RSPCA, Dog’s Trust, Blue Cross, and a majority of the public. Greens are at the forefront of all political parties when it comes to animal welfare.

Importantly Green councillors are not whipped, so no matter if another Labour candidate is elected, if Stoke Newington residents want him to vote against the administration he won’t be able to. That's why we are working closely with Hackney Independent Socialist councillors who left Labour after they were punished for breaking the whip and voting to hear the Green motion on supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. This by-election is the 8th in two years triggered by Labour resignations. Only by electing Liam will Stoke Newington residents have a dedicated local councillor who is free to speak up for them.

This election also gives the best chance of the Greens and Independents overtaking the small Tory group as the official opposition which would mean better progressive scrutiny and accountability and a better deal for residents as the Tories don't take up their allocation of scrutiny committee seats.

Liam will help bring accountability and residents’ voices into the council chamber to make sure they are heard on all the issues that matter to them. Vote Liam Davis on Thursday 12th of September.