YP Letters: Be thankful for legal protection for the Stray

IT is wonderful news that attempts to change the Stray Act 1985 for the worse have been abandoned (The Yorkshire Post, February 23).

It is a shame that we had to go through this traumatic experience. Harrogate Council could (should) have taken note of the lessons that history teaches us.

The people of Harrogate have never had an appetite for tampering with the protection that the current – or previous – Stray Acts give.

The Duchy of Lancaster would have considered relaxing the Act if there had been public demand, but made it clear that in their opinion the Act works well.

We are so lucky that the Stray Act 1985 is there for us, whatever political influences are in force 
at any particular time and looking ahead, wherever our seat of local government may be in the future.

The more remote our local government, the less likely a more flexible Stray Act would operate to the advantage of residents.

Let us all be thankful that common sense and public opinion have prevailed and 
our Stray Act remains unchanged for the benefit 
of all of us, residents and 
visitors alike.