North Somerset Council proposes dog walking rule changes
A limit could be put on the number of dogs walked at any one time in parts of Somerset under changes North Somerset Council is currently considering making to its Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
The council is reviewing the current orders in place and is also consulting on bringing in new ones. The council wants to limit the number of dogs being walked at one time to six. If agreed, the dog walking limit would apply across North Somerset.
The council is also planning a number of area-specific changes including introducing a dogs on lead order in parts of Ashton Court grounds in a bid to protect the local deer population.
The existing order to keep dogs on leads at Portishead Marina could be extended to include Lockside Square and the dog exclusion zone at Weston-super-Mare’s Marine Lake could be expanded.
A new order could also be introduced at the Silver Street recreation ground in Wrington, enforcing that dogs should be kept on leads.
The no dogs order at St Georges Community Centre could be relaxed and replaced with a new one, allowing dogs on leads.
There are also plans to amend the existing order at Springwood Recreation Ground in Hutton. The change would allow dogs to be exercised off the lead in part of the area.
In addition, a new dog exclusion zone would be implemented at St Mary’s Field.
North Somerset Council Executive Member for safety in the community, Councillor James Clayton, said: “PSPOs are an important tool in tackling antisocial behaviour in our public spaces. We’ve listened to what residents and businesses have been telling us about issues in their local communities.
“In response to their concerns, we’re proposing the amendment of some existing orders and the introduction of new orders to allow us, and partner agencies including the police, to deal more effectively with a wider range of antisocial behaviour issues in our public spaces. I’d like to encourage everyone to please take the time to complete the survey and give us your feedback, thoughts and questions on these proposals.
“We will take all views into consideration before making any final decisions.” PSPOs are enforced by designated council staff, police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and other officers authorised by the council.
The consultation, which closes on 9 July, can be found here.
