A recent consultation gathered views from residents, visitors, businesses, and other organisations about a dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area.
These views will be used to create a new Order that will give clarity and consistency for both dog-owners and non-owners. Councillors will make the final decision on the controls to be included in the new Order.
The consultation, that was open for 10 weeks, was available online and paper copies were available in libraries and on request.
4,221 responses were received. 80% of responses were from local residents, with 16.5% from visitors and 2.8% from other. 62% of responses came from dog owners. 9.5% of the respondents considered themselves having a disability.
Questions were asked about whether dogs should be kept on leads in certain areas, and if dogs should be permitted into cemetery graveyards, public gardens and sports pitches.
There were also questions about how people felt about restrictions on specific beaches across Dorset.
Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said:
“We have had an excellent response to this consultation. It is important that we have the views of a good cross section of the community that is affected by this order.”
The one significant change this time is that the current restriction to keep dogs on leads on Lyme Regis’s Front Town Beach during the winter is not recommended for inclusion in the new order.
The full report and recommendations will be going to Place and Resources Overview Committee on 5 October and then to Cabinet on 7 November.
If the recommendations are agreed, and the order is not appealed, the new dog-related PSPO will come into effect on 1 January 2024.
To view the complete report, visit the Dorset Council website.
We will not be visiting Lyme Regis front town beach during the winter months anymore then.
Unfortunately the response to this consultation was low we believe due to the lack of information being displayed on notice boards throughout Dorset, dog owners responded due to the commitment of local dog owners who spoke to locals and those who visit for the day, or holiday in Dorset with their dogs. Not everyone has access to the internet, or take part in social media platforms, leaving many people commenting as they return to beaches on 1st October asking why they had only just read about this in the press. We hope as stated by the Dog Warden Team, to see more educational content where when invited to join events arranged in Dorset they will talk to the public, unfortunately only one occasion where Janet Moore and now retired Weymouth Dog warden attended, locals concerned with dog fouling in their area, asked for positive action, asked for fines to be issued, unfortunately FOI request disclosed no fines being paid, with most dismissed, or not paid. As a community in Weymouth and Portland we have taken it upon ourselves to hold events, often being asked by Weymouth Town Council to attend their Expo, where we give out free poo bags, engage the public in conversation, at the start and end of restrictions we hold a Big Walkies Event the next one being this Sunday 1st October 10am start. Our group for Weymouth and Portland carry extra bags to offer to those who may run out, raise awareness if they think a dog owner missed seeing where their dog fouled, and direct them to public litter bins. We have been doing this since 2016 have a positive impact and are disappointed Dorset Council failed to consider a compromise similar to Cornwall Council, who have seen positive results, we know how frustrating it is to walk along the Esplanade when people just walk away and leave litter, glass bottles, bbqs, and debris from November 5th cause hazards, without our dog walkers these remain buried in the sand until someone steps on a sharp item, such as sparklers. We hope Dorset Council will follow the lead of BCP council and create a PSPO as intended by DEFRA in 2014 to tackle the litter left in public spaces, which enter our seas
Thank you for providing the latest updates on the dog-related Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) consultation results. It’s very important for both dog owners and the general public to be informed about the regulations in place to ensure safety and cleanliness in public spaces. The article does a great job in presenting the different perspectives and considerations taken into account by the Dorset Council. It’s encouraging to see that the community has a platform to voice their opinions and contribute to the decision-making process. This balanced approach is crucial for fostering a harmonious coexistence between individuals and their beloved pets in public areas. Keep up with the transparent communication—it’s highly appreciated!
It is noticeable that, in the fortnight before the dogs restriction is lifted from certain areas of Weymouth beach, including Greenhill, that there is a rise in numbers of dog walkers exercising their pets in these areas. The dog walkers are surely aware that no action will be taken against them and there are some who take no notice at any time. We need more regular patrols with police back up, if necessary, to enforce the restrictions. Dorset Council is inadequately enforcing PSPO restrictions, generally, and I look for a marked improvement in 2024. Also, dog walkers must keep their dogs under proper control at all times of the year. It’s about time that Dorset Council should make this clear via the Dorset Echo and other news media, both paper copy and on line.
62% of those responding were dog owners. 31% of UK families own a dog.
Methinks any decisions based on this survey will disproportionally favour dog owners