I WAS appalled by the article “Help us find a secure place where huskies can run free “(Daily Echo, January 7) about the so-called pet lovers complaining an exercise field at Manor Farm is closed for winter.

First of all, if you rescue or buy a husky or malamute-type dog, then you should have done some research and realised they are a breed that needs a lot of space to run free, exercise and socialise.

When our family looked into buying a beagle we did our homework. When he was eight weeks old, he came home with us.

At 12 weeks we started puppy class, where our family and the instructor tried to train a hound that is in nature the same as a husky.

Beagle owners and other breeds are aware of the dog field in Manor Farm and are looking forward to the reopening of the field in April.

A friend who works for Eastleigh council has told me the reason for the closure this year and last year is because of the husky owners turning up on weekend mornings and taking over the field, sometimes all day on a Sunday.

Indeed I and others have witnessed more than 50 husky dogs at a time, making it impossible for other dog owners to exercise their dogs.

As of last year Manor Farm tried to rent the field at weekends, but it was never taken up by anyone wishing to exercise their dog.

As a council-run facility, they do not have to provide this field free of charge but they do and dog owners are grateful for it.

A small minority of so-called pet lovers have ruined a year-round free facility.

NAME & ADDRESS SUPPLIED.