Barking up the wrong trees: RHS visitors left howling over trial that lets in dogs to garden
Visitors of RHS Rosemoor in Torrington, Devon, are now able to walk their pet on short leads three days a week.
But at the annual general meeting held at Rosemoor, top brass were dogged by complaints about the trial being a stepping stone to introducing the same policy across other RHS gardens.
Members' misgivings included accounts of children being licked by dogs and wildlife such as dormice being killed.
An outraged member said: 'I am not against people having dogs but... we have a lot of vulnerable people and children who come here.'
She added that providing bags and scoopers for dog poo would 'change the atmosphere'.
Another member said: 'I have unfortunately come across dead dormice where I have actually seen the dog ahead of me kill it.
'We are guardians of these grounds and every plant, animal, insect and that's why I am concerned about these dog days.'
One member has also threatened to cancel her membership if dog days are made permanent at the end of the trial.
RHS president Keith Weed told the AGM the trial would be closely monitored until September before any decision is made.
He said: 'The great thing about a trial is to learn from it. We had this debate at the last AGM and it was a bit noisier from those in favour of dogs.'
Dogs are not currently allowed in most RHS gardens, except for at planned 'walkie' events.
Under the trial at Rosemoor, dogs under the control of owners on a short lead are permitted on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in specific areas.
But there is a strict 'paws on paths' policy and restricted zones such as the children's play area and the vegetable gardens.
The six-month trial comes after the RHS commissioned Monty Don to create a dog-friendly garden for the Chelsea Flower Show – the first time the BBC Gardeners' World presenter had designed a space at the event.
Don took his beloved golden retriever Ned to try out his garden's features for dogs, including a lawn, water to wallow in and trees to cast shade.
It also followed a National Trust plan to install 'wee poles' to prevent dogs from urinating on trees and historic buildings at some sites.
High amounts of dog urine can increase the acidity of the soil and affect plants and the surrounding environment, the Trust said.
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