The new sign on the playground gave the neighbors a good laugh. Now they hope dog owners stay away.

Less than 3 hours ago

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Ole Vevle lives right next to Amalie Skram playground. He can look straight at the playground from the window.

When he looked out the window on Monday morning, he got a surprise.

In the middle of a tree on the playground, more than two meters above the ground, a large “dogs forbidden” sign had been hung up.

– We had a good laugh. It is good that someone goes ahead and does these types of stunts, says Vevle.

– We stand behind the person in question, and cheer on whoever it may be, he adds.

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– Lack of respect for the young people’s free places.

BT also meets Erlend Nødtvedt on the playground. This is the first time he sees the new sign.

He says that some dog owners release the dogs on the playground, and then the dog does away with itself without being picked up.

– For me, it is a sign of a lack of respect for the kids’ free places.

It has been a well-known problem for the family, who have two children who have used the playground frequently.

– Last weekend I had to flush my one-year-old. He had rolled in quite well, he says.

He says that he understands well that dog owners are tempted in the afternoon and evening when there are few children on the playground.

But he wants the kids to be able to have a playground where everything is on the children’s terms.

– There are very few places that are reserved for children, so now let them have this park in peace without risking getting drunk on dog shit.

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– I feel criminal

Christine Follnes has had a dog for 18 years. When she goes to playgrounds in Åsane with her niece, she takes her dogs with her.

– I feel criminal for being there with the dogs, she says

She says that she experiences ugly looks on the playgrounds. She believes that dogs should be allowed there as long as you pick them up.

Follnes works during the day, and then the dogs are alone at home for many hours. Therefore, she believes that she must take them with her if she is to leave the house again.

– I would rather break the rule, than feel that my dogs have a bad life, she says.

Not allowed with dog on the playground

On fenced playgrounds, such as the Amalie Skram playground, dogs are not allowed. It is only allowed to walk with the dog on a leash, if it is natural that the trip goes through the playground, according to Bergen municipality.

Vevle, who has a view of the playground, says that these rules are not followed.

– It seems that for some it has become a dog gathering place, where suddenly there are seven or eight dogs on the playground, he says.

Now it is almost impossible not to notice the sign, but still Vevle has seen people have a dog on the playground.

– It was a bit ironic, because there was someone who aired his dog right in front of the big sign.

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The dog owner is responsible

Kristin Madsen Klokkeide is head of the Section for nature and environmental management in Bergen municipality.

– Unfortunately, we are familiar with this issue through inquiries. In addition to the fact that it is illegal to let their dogs there, it is also very uncomfortable for those who play in the areas to find feces from dogs there, she says.

Klokkeide says that playgrounds have been established for children to play freely, without being afraid of stray dogs.

She says that dog owners must familiarize themselves with the rules for keeping dogs, and that they are obliged to follow this. The Urban Environment Agency signs the playgrounds, so that it is clear which rules apply.

– Those who want to let their dogs loose, can use Bergen municipality’s dog air farms. These can be found at Tveitevannet, at Tennebekk and at Liavatnet in Åsane.

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