Do dog owners have rights?

So up until today for the last 6 months or so Honey has had a morning run in the park...and when I say run, I mean run! she runs like a crazy dog and explores. Sometimes I don't see her for a few minutes at a time and then she comes racing back. It has also been a great place to get my puppies used to open spaces and meeting other dogs. More recently I have been meeting other dog owners from the area who walk their dogs at the same time and it's nice to see a familiar face or two. Sometimes breakfast or tea is brought and shared, and the dogs play or fight and run around. This is the highlight of Honey's day and I'm not sure what's going to happen now. Two policemen came up to us this morning and took photos as they politely told us that we couldn't run our dogs in the park anymore. I'm really bummed about it. It has become such an enjoyable part of H's day, walking the pavements on a leash just won't cut it....but unfortunately it will have to. It seems so unfair! All those big wide open unused spaces in the park just perfect for an energetic dog (and owners) to gallop around and socialise. It has also provided a forum where children adn families who don't have dogs can meet them and hold them, especially at the weekends. I have found that many mothers and children love to stop and hold my puppies or touch Honey or take her for a walk on her leash. There really isn't anywhere else to go that's near. All the main parks dog-free zones....and I understand that some people don't want dogs because of their mess, but shouldn't that mean that pooper scooping should be enforced not the banning of dogs? Especially in parks like this that are big enough for everybody...I mean really! there is space for everyone in these parks. It really feels like I have a right as a dog owner to be able to run my dog everyday and give her the exercise and freedom that she needs, especially as most dog owners that I know have to keep their pets in apartment blocks for the most part. This is such a shame, and it feels so unfair!