Have your say on new rules for dogs in public places

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Spaniel dog, liver and white in colour, is sitting on a beach with sand dunes behind.

Dorset residents, visitors and businesses are being invited to share their views on the rules for dogs in public spaces, including beaches and green spaces.

Dorset Council has launched a consultation on a proposed Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). A PSPO is a legal tool councils can use to help keep public places safe and enjoyable for everyone by setting clear rules on things like dog fouling, where dogs can go, and when they need to be on a lead.

The current dog PSPO has been in place since January 2024 and is due to expire at the end of this year. The new order would come into force on 1 January 2027 and remain in place for three years.

The consultation gives people the chance to comment on:

  • Where dogs should or should not be allowed
  • Seasonal or time‑limited restrictions, including on beaches
  • Lead length and when dogs should be kept on a lead

The aim is to balance responsible dog walking with protecting places used by children, families and people taking part in activities such as sports. Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but can also pose health risks.

Cllr Matt Bell, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities said:

“Most dog owners in Dorset are responsible and take pride in looking after the places they enjoy. This consultation is about making sure our shared spaces work well for everyone, dog owners, families, residents and visitors.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible so we can get the balance right and put fair, clear rules in place that protect public health while still supporting responsible dog walking.”

The consultation is open until 7 August and is available online

Paper copies will also be available in Dorset libraries or on request by calling 01305 221000

The final recommendations will be considered by Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Overview Committee and Cabinet later this year.

Comments

22 Comments

Comment by posted
There should be a space where families with dogs can enjoy the sand. The existing space by the pavillion is ideal. residents and visitors should be able to enjoy the beach with dogs in the evenings. I would suggest no dog restrictions in the summer between 18.00 and 8.00  
Comment by posted
I agree with you. Dogs can't be left in cars so need to be with their families. 
Comment by posted
Dogs have the sandiest part of the beach in Weymouth and it is a large space. There is also an increase in fairground equipment this year on the beach so the available space for others is more limited. At times  when dogs are allowed to roam the beaches without a lead my grandaughter was jumped on twice and was scared yet the dog walkers were indignant when I complained. Please consider the humans rather more than they are considered
Comment by posted
Dog are allowed in unnescessary places, Overcombe and Bowleaze beaches for starters, why should unsupervised dogs be allowed there, why should the loacal residents have to put up with this?  Nobody polices the rules as they are, go on the promenade any day of the year and you will see dogs without leads, dogs with long leads interfereing with walkers, cyclists etc.  Explain the law to their owners and all you get is a mouthful of abuse!  Before you start to change the by laws make sure the ones you have in place  are observed.  Changing them will just cause confusion and less observance.
Comment by posted
My priority is to prevent dog mess being left anywhere where children play. So in these areas dogs must always be on the lead, so that the owner can see the dog creating a mess, and clear it up straight away. So there is no point removing restrictions at some hours during the day, as the mess will still be there the next day! I suppose in the winter months you could remove the restrictions, as children will be less likely to play then. But if the rules are complicated then dog owners will ignore them. Goodness knows we have had such dirty beaches with the water companies polluting the water, that we deserve to have clean sand!
Comment by posted
I don't have a problem with dogs in general but my wife is allergic to dogs. Unfortunately the dog owners don't seem to understand that not everyone is as besotted with their pooch as they are and it could cause a medical emergency. Please keep them under control and off tables in public places.  
Comment by posted
Please do not allow dogs on beaches at all from May to October.  Dog fouling is a problem all over, on pavements and in parks and other green spaces. And the people who do not clear up after their dogs in these places are probably not likely to clean up after them on the beaches either.  Dogs and their owners have the beaches to themselves for half the year, it's only fair that children should be able to play in the sand in the summer months without the risk of contracting dangerous diseases from dog excrement. Kate B
Comment by posted
Dogs are everywhere you go these days and as someone who is very wary/frightened of them, going out can be quite distressing - always on the lookout for one.  I believe they should always be on a lead - long is acceptable, but controlled by their owners.  I believe that bringing back the Dog License would cut down their numbers considerably.
Comment by posted
Good to see this regarding Dogs, but on Poundbury we have a real issue with Cats. They roam free at night and mess in peoples gardens. Surely there is a similar public health problem with Cat mess. what is Cllr Bell doing about that.
Comment by posted
I think that the current dog area in Weymouth, by the pavilion, should be cordoned off to ensure dog lovers and non dog lovers can all enjoy the beach. Also I do think we ahould be allowed to walk our dogs on all of the beaches between 8pm and 10am all year round. 
Comment by posted
Whatever new rules are put in place, there simply must be staff in place to enforce them. It takes one inconsiderate dog owner to let their dog off the leash on the wrong part of the beach... One inconsiderate dog owner not to clean up after their dog... Not everyone feels comfortable standing up to the aggressive and vocal minority, nor should they have to. Some dog owners appreciate that not everyone likes their animals as much as they do but we must prepare for those that don't have this awareness. We are not a "nation of dog lovers." Those of us who could have one but don't are clearly and statistically in the majority. Spaces must be left and adequately enforced for the majority of tax paying Dorset residents who wish to enjoy dog free areas. Fines must be large enough to act as deterrents for those who do not follow the rules that benefit this majority, and they must be adequately enforced.
Comment by posted
I will fill in the form as I always do. However, given the published statistics, the end result never reflects the opinions of the people who actually take the time and trouble to fill in the survey. How about a survey about the amount of people who come to a clean almost pristine beach and leave tonnes of trash and filth, deficate on the beach and basically treat it like a dump - park illegally and block emergency services no less, and cost the council and tax payers huge sums of money? Please can we have a survey about that and then do something about it. Thank you.