“No dog” policy at this years Suffolk Show
Please dont bring your dog to the Suffolk Show this year, requests organisers
The Suffolk Agricultural Association has decided to operate a no dogs policy at this years Suffolk Show which takes place on June 1 and 2 at Trinity Park.
In line with other county shows, including The Great Yorkshire and Royal Berkshire, as well as other major one day events, the Association has made the difficult, if controversial, decision for health, hygiene and welfare reasons.
Show director David Nunn said: Its not that we dont like dogs we do, and many of us are dog owners, but it is our responsibility to be kind to them and think of their welfare. Eight hours is too long for dogs to be out at the Show in warm temperatures.
Every year we have to remove dogs from our car parks that have been suffering in the heat and pick up dog excrement from around the public areas of the Show, so have we decided to implement the policy this year. It wasnt an easy decision to make and I am sure it will annoy some people, but hopefully there will be others that understand and come along to support the Show. Registered Assistance Dogs are allowed in as are dogs participating in displays and on tradestands, which are under strict control.
Dogs present us with a serious hygiene issue. With more areas of the Show being dedicated to food sites and picnic areas where families will sit and eat it is becoming increasingly hard for us to manage these places that dogs are not able to enter. There will still be the popular dog classes and dog show so our canine friends will still have a presence at the Show.
The ban does not apply to the new Dog Show area which is separate to the Show and accessed from Straight Road. All dogs entering this area have to be registered in the many classes in advance. The new location is self-contained with exhibitors as well as catering and parking.
Dogs taking part in demonstrations and competitions will be permitted within the Show perimeter site 30 minutes before the beginning of classes and displays and must be removed immediately after the conclusion.
Exhibitors who have their dogs will be able to keep their dogs with them in the livestock and equine parking areas.
The general public will not be permitted to bring dogs onto the Show ground or leave them in cars in the car parks. Visitors are advised to leave their dogs at home.
Visitors who attempt to enter the car parks with a dog in a vehicle will be refused entry for the dog. This Policy applies to dogs inside a vehicle within the public car parks.
For full guideline visit the suffolkshow website at www.suffolkshow.co.uk