More than 1,000 people have had their say about where and when dogs should be allowed in public places.
West Dorset District Council has carefully considered the views’ of dog owners and the concerns of other residents who use public places such as parks and beaches.
After considering 1,012 responses the council has attempted to strike a balance and has also simplified a raft of regulations. The result is the new West Dorset Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2017, which will replace six existing orders.
The new rules will come into effect on 16 October 2017. Councillor Alan Thacker, Community Safety & Access Portfolio Holder for West Dorset District Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to have their say to let the district council know how they thought public spaces should be managed.
“We carefully looked at the results, which were fairly evenly split between dog owners and non-dog owners. We have tried to strike a balance and have considered the interests of all. We have taken a common sense approach which sees dogs largely welcomed in many areas but also prohibited from areas such as children’s playgrounds and some beaches in summertime.”
The new West Dorset Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 is available at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/dog-warden/west-dorset
West Dorset District Council provides an award-winning dog warden service. The wardens recently won a Gold Stray Dog Footprint award from the RSPCA for providing a ‘gold standard’ in animal welfare for their stray dog service.
