RECKLESS and abusive dog walkers are letting their pets run loose off the lead while horses are running around Worcester Racecourse sparking fears there might be a fatal accident.

During the last two race meetings on Pitchcroft dog walkers and other pedestrians have been witnessed cutting cable ties at the gates, climbing over fencing, walking on the track and letting dogs run off the lead.

At Tuesday’s meeting, one woman let her two dogs run off in different directions.

Staff watched in horror as one of them chased a horse before the start of a race while a man threw his dog a ball onto the track during another race.

Jenny Cheshire, commercial manager at the racecourse, said: “Someone is definitely going to cause an accident; heaven forbid there is a fatality, equine or human, but when you’ve got up to 17 horses running around a racecourse it could be catastrophic.”

Ground and security staff were also abused by people claiming they have the right to do what they like on the course even though the law says they do not on race days.

Duncan Penney, estates team leader, said: “I have been working here for three-and-a-half years and the incidents on Tuesday night were the worst I have ever seen.”

Contrary to popular belief that Pitchcroft is an open space for the people of Worcester to enjoy 365 days a year, bylaws in the Worcester City Council Act 1985 allow the footpaths to be closed whenever race meetings take place on the 22-acre track.

Technically the routes across the racecourse can be closed a couple of days in advance of a meeting but since Arena Leisure bought the lease in 2000 staff close the gates about three hours before the start.

Signs are on site detailing when race meetings are due to take place throughout the year and people are warned that their access to Pitchcroft will be restricted on those days.

However, staff have witnessed an increase in incidents this year and there are concerns that sooner or later a spooked horse will run riot and cause injury either to itself, the jockey, spectators or staff.

Tuesday night’s incidents were caught on camera and broadcast live to racegoers while warnings about the dangers of being on the course were issued over the public address system.

Racing has been held on the Pitchcroft racecourse since 1718 and meetings regularly attract an average 3,000 racegoers but on special days that figure can go up to 7,000.