The dog days of summer are nearly upon us and with the recent mild weather more people with their furry friends will be out and about in Enfield’s wonderful parks and open spaces.

With this in mind, Dogs Trust will be offering two free events in Enfield to help promote responsible dog ownership and good canine health and behaviour.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Arts & Culture, Cllr Yasemin Brett, said: “Dogs, their owners and residents can all enjoy our fabulous public spaces but we want to help make sure that they peacefully co-exist by promoting responsible and respectful behaviour from our dog-owning population.

“These free events will have experts on hand to offer advice on training and behaviour. We want to enjoy the upcoming spring and summer months with the Enfield community – dogs included!”

The first event will be at Pymmes Park on 4 May and the second at Durants Park on 10 June. The Dogs Trust will be offering free micro-chipping, basic health checks and training advice. Basic behavioural advice will be available on a one-to-one basis and it’s also a great excuse to get out in the open air to meet other dog owners in the area. In addition, dog neutering vouchers will be available for certain breeds; terms and conditions apply Both park sessions will run from 11am until 3pm and there is no need to book an appointment.

Last year, the law changed and it now compulsory for dogs to be microchipped. According to Dogs Trust, nearly 5,000 dogs across the UK last year faced being put down as they could not be reunited with their owners. “Prevent this from happening  by having your dog micro-chipped and keeping your contact details updated,” added Cllr Brett.

The new laws on microchipping say that any dog owners who do not microchip their pets within 21 days of being served notice will be liable to pay a fine of up to £500.

Dog owners can also be issued a fixed penalty notice of £80 if they don’t clean up dog mess. To report dog fouling, follow this link.