An annual walk for sausage dogs and their owners has been banned over fears it has become too popular.
The Hyde Park Halloweenie Party event sees hundreds of dachshunds gather at Hyde Park dressed in costume for a social walk.
However this year’s event was cancelled over fears it could become too popular due to its growing status on social media.
The Royal Parks, the charity which manages Hyde Park have been called ‘killjoys’ after telling organisers the event would not be able to go ahead.
It said the popularity has led to the gathering becoming a small event, which requires organisers to get a licence to hold.
The organisers of the event said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately, this weekend’s walk has to be cancelled.
‘The Royal Parks events team got in touch and is being extra cautious after all the media attention, and although we’ve never had any issues in eight years, we must follow their regulations.
‘This walk has always been a friendly community get together for families and dogs, never commercial or advertised, just for fun.
Handsome Devils: Two of the Daschunds at the cancelled Hyde Park Halloweenie Party
Spooky: One dog had a ghost costume to conceal its identity among the sausage dogs
Wicked: one dog dressed as a witch
Bad boy: One Dachshund showed up dressed as a bank robber at the cancelled event
A dachshund wears a Chucky from Child’s Play costume during the annual Hyde Park Sausage Walk
Arriving in style: These two Dachshunds sit in a carrier at a Sausage Dog meet up
Around 200 people gathered for the event in Hyde Park despite its cancellation
‘This isn’t the end. It’s the start of something even better.’
Despite the setback, some 200 owners defied the rules and turned up to Hyde Park with their sausage dogs.
At the same time, the organisers announced that they would instead be hosting a best dressed competition on Instagram, showing off some of the best Halloween costumes worn by the dogs.
This was then followed by the account sharing pictures from sausage dogs in the park.
A Royal Parks spokesman said: ‘The organisers did not approach The Royal Parks to apply for an event licence and the event was unauthorised.’
