Reigate and Banstead Borough Council starts enforcing new dog controls

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has started enforcing its new dog public space protection orders which limits walkers to a maximum of four dogs at any one time.

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 some new areas:

• New play areas in Westvale Park, Horley, will be dog exclusion areas.
• 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.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council says the changes were introduced after a review and “ongoing concerns raised by residents”.

Lowering the limit was backed by 80% of almost 500 respondents to a survey, the council added.

However, more than 530 people have signed a petition – which closes on 30 October – urging council to reconsider and restore the limit to six.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said advisory enforcement was most likely to be used in the first instance by the council’s dog warden or joint enforcement team officers.