Park lovers count cost as dog owners allow pets to chew swing seats

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Repeated acts of vandalism at a Stretford park - including where dog owners have allowed their pets to chew wooden cradle seat swings - have cost more than £1,200 so far this year.

The community group which raises funds for Lostock Park, councillors on the Trafford authority and residents say they have been 'left devastated' by the attacks.

Friends of Lostock Park organisers say the cradle seats have been damaged several times by owners who let their dogs use them as chew toys. "This has left the swings unstable and safe," a spokesperson said.

The One Trafford Partnership, which is responsible for the maintenance of play areas, says the bucket seats have to be replaced after each incident and this has cost £1,200 this year alone. "In the worst case so far, the swings were vandalised just one day after being replaced, just as the school holidays began," the spokesperson said. "This year, 12 cradle seats and four flat seats have had to be replaced in Lostock Park." READ MORE:The brother of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett says he is 'frustrated, annoyed, confused' as latest dig enters day five after information from amateur sleuth A total of 37 bucket seats have been replaced in Trafford this year because of vandalism.