A dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area comes into force on 1 January.
For the first few weeks the council will focus on advice and guidance to dog-owners explaining the new rules.
The order replaces a number of existing dog related PSPOs across the Dorset Council area. The intention is that the new Order will provide clarity and consistency across the area for dog owners and non-owners alike about dog controls on public open spaces such as beaches, sports fields and other public areas.
Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said:
“The order has been made to protect the health of Dorset residents and visitors and is particularly aimed at areas that children and families use.
“It focuses on times and places that attract families, but leaves a variety of open spaces, countryside and beaches where there aren’t any restrictions.
“It is a compromise, and as such, won’t be everyone’s ideal situation but it provides a balance for dog owners and non-owners.”
The order follows a 15-week consultation that received 8,602 responses. 83% of responses were from local residents, with 15% from visitors and 2% other organisations. 64% of responses came from dog owners and 36% from non-dog owners. 6.6% of the respondents considered they had a disability. The recommendations from the consultation were considered and approved by the Place and Resources Overview Committee in September and Dorset Council Cabinet in October.
Please can you set out the new rules in a simplified fashion.
I’m fed up with dogs everywhere, beach etc fouling and dog owners not being responsible.
Please stop using the awful illegible font you use in some of your pdf documents.
I love dogs but they must kept under control. I am concerned about the number of dog owners and those employed as dog walkers allowing dogs to run free on the Canford Heath SSS1. This is a fragile environment and areas outside the public footpaths should not be invaded by rampaging dogs. OK, I have to admit that times have changed since the 60’s when I rode motorcycles across the heath. But the Canford Heath Housing estate didn’t exist then. From the Wareham Road Ryvita factory to the T junction at Fleetsbridge there was a muddy track. The pressure on our wildlife is extreme and domestic pets have no sympathy with this. Please keep dogs on a 2mtr lead on whats left of the Canford Heath SSSI.
Although this consultation received one of the biggest responce’s ever received visitors responce’s where not considered when it came to dogs on leads on Lyme Regis sandy beach. Suggestions by many stakeholders were rejected. As a group we worked hard to share this with as many people as possible. Until Covid-19 we had intended to let people know about paper copies. Many of our visitors have not taken part. Cornwall looked at the responce from all members of the community, Devon have reconsidered there PSPO because they realised it was disproportionate to members of society.
The Kennel Club issued a press statement regarding the Dorset Wide Consultantion, asking for it to be fair and open. Everyone I’ve spoken to believed this PSPO would harmonize all the beaches in Dorset, for locals and visitors. It sadly once again singles out dog owners those who have mobility problems or hidden disabilities have not be considered.
We asked for clear signage, in Weymouth at the moment every entrance into the beach shows a lollipop sign, with a big No Dogs then in very small font the date. This has led to people being abused for walking their dogs on the beach during unrestricted dates. We have restrictions 24/7 from 1st May till September 30th. While cyclist can use the Esplanade from 5.30 pm till 9.30am. this increases the likelihood of dog walkers and cyclist sharing at times narrow sections of the Esplanade. We are pleased to be acknowledged for our role in changing people behaviour, raising awareness of all types of litter and being involved in keeping our open spaces clean and safe for all members of society.
We are hopeful in future consultation to be asked to share our local knowledge of our community to ensure future PSPO are proportional to behaviour of those who walk their dogs in Dorset
I fail to see how it is a compromise or process the health of residents and visitors. It is a draconian law that punishes responsible dog owners and does nothing to “harmonises” beaches across Dorset. There are already powers in place for dog fouling and littering, which is more of an issue, however these are little used. The other beaches mentioned are hardly accessible to those less able and indeed for young families with dogs and are tidal. A petion of over 9000 signatures opposing this was handed in as well as the majority of respondents wishing the current restriction to remain i.e dogs allowed off lead in winter months.. Lyme Regis Town Council have ignored this and are facing in their duty to represent the community they were elected to serve but instead pushed through their own Agenda – democracy is well and truly dead in this town .
Completely unclear. New rules what are they and what places do they affect? Don’t need pages to read I simple sheet of do and don’t is needed.
WE live in Corfe Mullen what tier will be in as from 31st December?
Wishing all the staff including those working off site a very happy new year
What are the actual new rules and where can I find them listed out please?
I am registered disabled and unable to access the alternative beaches in Lyme Regis for allowing my dog off lead. I believe I am being discriminated against with this NEW PSPO. That came into force on 1st January.
Thank you for taking this decision to keep dogs on leads at all times in the Nothe Gardens Weymouth. Although right outside my back gate I’m pleased that the Council has seen the sense in providing an exercise area outside of the Nothe Tavern. This is a good compromise that was promoted many, many years ago. We do have a dog in our family and this is good for me as well as my younger family members that have been attacked by dogs in the past.
The Friends of Nothe Gardens was a vibrant group supporting the Council. However the Council chose to change the controls of dogs in the Gardens that led to our volunteers resigning en mass. Hopefully Friends will be rekindled with this news.
I’ve shared this with my dog owner friends.
Can you confirm if owners of assistance dogs or those with disabilities need to apply for a pass from your department to prove to the dog wardens their dogs are assistance dogs or they are indeed disabled. And what proof they need to provide
Hi Linda – To confirm under the Public Space Protection Orders, people with disabilities are exempt from fixed penalty notices and I quote section 1 of the general provisions:-
1.5 This Order shall NOT apply with regard to complying with exclusion of dogs from identified land, where a person in charge of a dog 1.5.1 is registered as a blind person and uses a dog trained by a member of Assistance Dogs UK or any other UK registered charity whose activities include the training of assistance dogs, and upon which they rely for assistance; or
1.5.2 has a physical or mental disability which has a substantial and long term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, in respect of a dog trained by a member of Assistance Dogs UK or any other UK registered charity whose activities include the training of assistance dogs and upon which they rely for assistance.
Normally assistance dogs, i.e. guide dogs for the blind/hearing dogs for the deaf/assistance dogs do wear specific clothing which advertises they are assistance dogs. If a warden should approach somebody which committed an offence and the dog or person was not wearing clothing, advertising that the dog was an assistance dog then the person would be asked to show or later present some form of id/letter/registration etc that they have a disability etc. The wardens do have discretion in not issuing fixed penalty notices if there is an mental health issue, or concerns of the persons ability etc.
I hope this answers your question Fiona