Surrey council revises controls to limit dog walkers
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, in Surrey, has introduced a new borough-wide rule limiting dog walkers to four dogs after a review of its dog public space protection orders (PSPOs).
The council held a five-week public consultation, which took place last autumn, regarding potential changes to its PSPO. Reducing the number of dogs a person can walk at any one time from six received support from 80% of the 513 survey respondents.
The change was proposed following ongoing concerns raised by residents about dog walkers being able to control groups of dogs. The limit of four is recommended by the RSPCA and pet business insurers.
The consultation also showed high levels of support for the existing borough-wide PSPOs. More than 92% of the respondents agreed that dogs must be kept under control on a lead in designated dogs-on-lead areas or if asked by an authorised officer and that dog walkers are responsible for clearing up after dog fouling.
As a result existing orders for some specified areas, such as parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, where dogs are either not allowed or must be on a lead, will also be renewed, along with the introduction of new play areas in Westvale Park, Horley.
In addition, the area of Earlswood Lakes where dogs will need to be kept on a lead has been extended to include the grassed area to the west of the lower lake up to the footpath leading from the carpark.
Councillor Hannah Avery, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy walking about the borough or visiting our parks and play areas, whether they have a dog or not. These PSPOs will help us to balance the needs of all, including the many responsible dog owners and their dogs that rely on our beautiful green spaces.”
The news has been with met with concern from dog walkers. Rebecca Herrera, who runs the Little Adventures dog walking business in Reigate, told the BBC she could potentially lose up to a £1,000 month and as a result might have to leave the profession.
However, Herrera said that she could “completely understand” the changes from a safety perspective.
She told the BBC: “Lots of people start up in the business with no experience or training, thinking it is easy money, but packs of dogs be dangerous.”
