Petition launched against proposed extended dog controls for Warwick district

A petition launched against proposed new dog control orders being considered for the Warwick district has attracted more than 1,300 signatures.

Currently, dogs must already be kept on leads in specific areas like Jephson Gardens, all cemeteries, and parts of Oakley Wood. The ‘Dogs on Leads by Direction’ order is also in place and was renewed in 2023.

The council is considering requiring dogs to be on leads in all of Leamington and Warwick’s parks, including parts of Newbold Comyn, Victoria Park, St Nicholas Park, Pump Room Gardens, Eagle Rec and Kenilworth Castle Meadow.

The petition, launched by campaigner Kate Pittel, says: “Over the years, Warwick District Council has steadily increased restrictions on dogs across the district… These proposed measures are unnecessary, unsupported by evidence, and would significantly reduce the inclusive use of public spaces by responsible dog owners.”

Warwick District Council’s licensing and regulatory committee was due to consider a review of the current orders in March. However, this has been delayed, and will come back to the committee on 23 June.

In response, a Warwick District Council spokeswoman, told Warwickshire World: “Nothing has been shared publicly, so there is no comment [on the proposed new orders] yet.

“Maps [will be] included [in the documents] to highlight where the PSPOs apply which should clear up some of the questions around the proposed orders.”