Calls for allotment support as chickens killed
GoogleReports of animal cruelty and vandalism at an allotment site have sparked calls for a council to step in.
Birds have been killed at Bankfields allotments in Eston, along with break-ins and arson attacks, Redcar and Cleveland Council has been told.
Allotment holder David Bailey said most of his chickens died in the most recent attack, when he claimed lurcher-type dogs were set loose.
Neighbourhood portfolio holder, councillor Adam Brook, said the council would be looking at funding "to support long-term solutions" to protect the site, while Cleveland Police said the allotments were included in "regular proactive patrols" by officers.
Mr Bailey, who has lived in the area for 35 years, said although some of his birds escaped the attack and were uninjured, they went on to die of shock.
The 69-year-old told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the lead-up to the attack was witnessed by a local resident, who called police.
"They took all the fence off and let the dogs in there and were just trying to rip the chickens to bits," he said, adding it had been "heartbreaking" and "demoralising".
"I've had them for years and you get to know them, do you know what I mean?
"They're more like pets. I don't know what goes through the minds of people."
'More needs to be done'
Theft and arson have also been a problem, and there are calls for the council to fund about £20,000 to buy a new metal fence to replace a wooden one.
Eston ward Conservative councillor David Taylor said: "The council doesn't have any money, especially in neighbourhoods, so the money is going to have to be found from somewhere else.
"When you look at other allotments in the area, Normanby being one, they have had metal fencing done. Bankfields haven't and it is a focus for criminality."
He added: "What's happening is disgusting, animals are being killed and more needs to be done."
Last month, a council report said theft, misuse, arson, vandalism and fly-tipping continued to be a problem across many sites in Redcar and Cleveland.
The council has 731 plots it owns across 14 sites, with 66 said to be in a "critical" condition.
The report conceded the service area which covered allotments was understaffed with little in the way of a budget afforded to them for required maintenance.
Brook said a meeting with Taylor and other senior council officers would be held to continue to address the issues at Bankfields.
"We will also be exploring opportunities for external funding to support long-term solutions that protect this community space," he said.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "We continue to work with the local authority, partners at Cleveland Fire Brigade and the community itself to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area."
They urged anyone with any information to get in touch with the force.