Hastings council updates dog controls

Dog walkers in Hasting, East Sussex, face £1,000 fines if they take more than six pets out at one time.  

Hastings Borough Council’s updated dog control public space protection order (PSPO) states all dogs must be on a lead along the whole seafront promenade, and no more than six dogs can be taken out by one person at any time. 

In addition, the PSPO states all dog fouling across the borough must be picked up and put in a bin.   

There are two dog exclusion areas on the beach over the summer – from the east of Rock-a-Nore to the east side of Hastings Pier and from the west end of Bottle Alley to opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel – dogs will not be allowed on these areas of the beach between 1 April to 30 September. 

There are also restrictions in parks and green spaces across the borough, with dogs not allowed in any of the water in Alexandra Park or St Leonards Gardens. Dogs are also not allowed in children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks, tennis courts or bowls greens. They must be on leads at specified times in the parks – please check signage within the parks to confirm the details. 

New signage is being installed along the seafront, in the parks and green spaces, and across the borough to let people know about the restrictions. 

Anyone in breach of the new restrictions could be given an on the spot fine of up to £100 or prosecuted in court with a fine of up to £1,000. 

Councillor Glenn Haffenden, lead councillor for community safety, said: “These restrictions will help keep residents and visitors safe. I am glad that the PSPO will mean that anyone who allows a dog to foul and does not pick it up could be fined as I know this is something residents are concerned about.

“Please keep your eyes open for the updated signage across the borough and let us know if you have any feedback on dog behaviour as we will be reviewing the PSPO to see how it is working.”