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Ashford: Police called as terrier bites people at Orbital Park boot fair

An out-of-control dog reportedly bit up to six people at a boot fair.

Police were called to the Orbital Park in Ashford yesterday following reports a small brown terrier was gnashing at visitors.

One bargain hunter said she saw a stallholder suffer a bite to his calf.

The dog struck out at Sunday's event
The dog struck out at Sunday's event

She said: "One woman said the dog had gone for five people in the morning.

"I reported it to the police and one of the stallholders took the dog away on the lead.

"I spoke to the market manager and he confirmed the police had contacted the market office - he said that six people had been bit by the same dog."

Boot fair manager Peter Kingwill confirmed he was aware of the incident.

He said: "There was a situation on Sunday where a woman and her husband were looking after a friend's dog.

"It was quite excitable and it did unfortunately bite people.

"We told the owners to take it home, but they were leaving the market anyway at that point.

"It was a dog they shouldn't have brought; they shouldn't have accepted the responsibility for it and they did take it home."

'It was quite excitable and it did unfortunately bite people...' - Peter Kingwill

Organisers of the fair, which is held every Sunday on the Orbital Park market site, started charging shoppers in February.

They ask for £1 per car and pedestrians entering the sale on foot are charged 50p.

Mr Kingwill added: "Our policy on dogs remains the same - they have to be under control and on leads.

"It's unfortunate for those people that have had a nip.

"It's a shame that it happened. At any incident at any of the markets we run, we expect people to talk with the responsible manager on the day and we will sort it out.

"At the end of the day we welcome responsible owners with responsible dogs, and we understand that it's hot so the option of leaving them in the car isn't really the right one to take."

Police spokeswoman Scarlet Jones confirmed officers were called just after 10am following reports two people had been bitten by a dog.

Inquiries are ongoing.

Any witnesses should call police on 01843 222289, quoting 15-0468

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