Dorset Council is extending this public consultation by three weeks to make sure people who were unable to obtain a paper version from libraries or the Council offices can do so. We recognise that these premises were closed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and wants to give those that could not attend due to self-isolation or shielding to be able to do so by contacting us directly.
This is a consultation on rules about dogs in public spaces and will help with the development of the new Dorset-wide Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order. The consultation is a chance for people – residents, business owners, organisations and visitors – to have their say on where and when they think there should be restrictions on dogs in public places, including beaches. It will also cover topics such as fouling and lead length.
Cllr. Tony Alford, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer, Community and Regulatory Services, said: “These Orders are to make sure that everyone – with or without dogs – can safely enjoy public spaces. We want to hear a wide range of views from as many people as possible. We know that some people hold very strong views on the topic, and we aim to reflect a balanced and fair perspective within the new order.”
The survey will also remain open online
To have a paper copy of the survey and the maps of the areas it covers call 01305 251010. This can be emailed to you or on your request posted. Please return the completed survey as promptly as possible to ensure your comment are included.
The closing date is now midnight on Tuesday 12 May.
In December 2019, the existing Orders of former West Dorset, East Dorset, and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Orders were extended to 31 December 2020. This was to maintain public safety by allowing time for the public consultation and implementation of a new Dorset-wide Order to take place without the expiry of those current orders. Purbeck has it’s own byelaw covering similar matters, whereas the North Dorset Order does not expire until 2022.
Only comments submitted on the paper or online survey will be considered.
There are enough rules re exercising dogs in public areas but more dog poo bins should be installed. We live near fields where dogs are exercised but there is no bin (although I have asked for one) so poo bags are left on the roadside or thrown into shrubs and trees.
During the winter all the waste bins were removed from the bottom of Chewton Bunny for example so there was nowhere to deposit poo and general rubbish that we dog owners often collect.
Winter rules re dogs and dog owners on beaches should remain as they are – otherwise we are becoming a police state. We are in general a law-abiding society and dogs are a healthy part of any family.
I agree to banning dogs on beaches. Some people are just careful enough. I saw a dog poo on the beach, its owner also saw and scuffed sand over it. I called out and offered a poo bag, she said what for? Anyone could have stepped in that dog poo, a child might have sat down where it was ! I have a dog and it is not too difficult to bag and bin it. I could give lessons! Agree more dog poo bins are needed.
Dogs should be banned from all beaches from April 1st till September 30th.
Dogs should be allowed to go everywhere that people can go; Including shops, restaurants and pubs.
We don’t have any baby free zones and therefore we should not have any dog free zones; unless your aim is to segregate the entire community.
Many single people have nobody to mind their dog and to ban access to their animal is to ban access to them too.
The council should focus on adequate waste bin, toilet and hand washing provision in all locations rather than enclaves for xenophobes.
Are you actually serious? Good Lord. Why? are you really so SO sure EVERYONE LOVES dogs just because you do? How about people who do not want other peoples dogs jumping on them and running through their picnic barking at them making them scared and traumatise them because they have a phobia? How about other people’s rights other than JUST yours? Shame on your ignorance and selfishness.
Dogs should be allowed on beaches all year , but strictly , on leads only . It should be as much an offence to have an uncontrolled dog on the beach as it is in the street. If there is a total ban on dogs, some will be left in hot cars. Adequate ‘ poo waste’ bins should be provided .
Please could someone somewhere come up with an extensive easily accessible list of dog free zones in the Dorset area?
I have been searching online for an hour and all the hits are for dog friendly places.
I input “dog free zones” but got NOTHING useful; just lots of places I want to avoid. Frustrated.
Hi Veronica – The only designated dog free zones can be found at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/dog-walking-in-dorset/walking-dogs-on-beaches.aspx