Dogging, a sexual trend that has emerged in the UK over the past ten years or so, is starting to catch the attention of many Americans across the pond. Dogging is simply a broad term for driving alone or with a paramour to a predetermined location late at night to meet other randy individuals for sexual antics. Those antics can run the gamut from watching couples have sex in their cars, having group sex in larger cars (um, ouch?) or whatever wild fiasco the mood calls for. Why the term “dogging”? Apparently the origins stem from the age-old “Just walking the dog” excuse for ditching the wife and banging whoever you meet in the bushes. Again. Those Brits.

Dogging (or shall we call them meetings?) are usually arranged online and anyone who is game is welcome. Dogging websites like doggingafterdark  have popped up all over to determine good areas, and apparently 60 percent of England’s parks have been used as dogging sites. And you thought only homicidal maniacs like to hang out in parks at night.

In an article on the subject from doggingafterdark, Leander Kahney writes, “Dogging appears to be popular and widespread, attracting heterosexual couples and single men and women of all ages, income brackets and backgrounds.” A well known football player (that’s soccer, to you Yanks) recently made headlines when he admitted to participating in dogging sometimes multiple times in a week. The surprsing aspect of the story? No one seemed all that surprised.

A COUNCIL has refused to close a notorious “dogging” lay-by despite pleas from the public, local councillors and police.

A lay-by close to The Swan House roundabout, near Darlington, has become notorious as a meeting point for “doggers” and “cruisers” – people who engage in voyeuristic sexual acts in public.

Despite a recent police crackdown, the lay-by continues to be used by thrill-seekers, with more than 80 warning letters sent to people caught in the area since August.

A spokeswoman from Darlington Borough Council said: “The council is aware of the problem and our highways officers have met with police and local ward councillors to look at ways to tackle the issue.

“This activity is not condoned in any way, the agreed approach is for the police to undertake enforcement and a recent joint meeting with police and ward councillors suggests this is having an impact with numerous enforcement letters already issued.

“There is a concern that closing the lay-by will simply move the problem somewhere else, which does not resolve the problem.

“The lay-by is used for legitimate reasons throughout the day and to close it may not necessarily resolve the problem.