Kennel Club Pitches into Dog Restriction Debate
The Kennel Club, which claims to be the largest UK organisation devoted to dog health, welfare and training, last week entered into the consultation being undertaken by Hastings Borough Council over the terms of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
The PSPO, as proposed, will restrict dog owners from walking their dogs off lead across all parks and gardens in the borough with a children’s playground or open play area between the hours of 9am and 5pm. It will also no longer allow them to roam off lead on the town’s beaches east of West Marina save during weekdays in winter (from 1 October to 31 March).
The Kennel Club, whose website proclaims its objective as “to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners”, raised concerns that these measures could not only negatively impact the welfare of local dogs in the area, but also the safety of dog walkers.
Dr Ed Hayes, head of the club’s public affairs said in a press release: “We believe the proposed blanket requirement to keep dogs on leads during these times is excessive and unnecessary. We are not opposed to the principle of restrictions on dog walkers, as long as alternative provisions are put in place and are easily accessible by those in the area. [But] dog owners are required to provide for the welfare needs of their pet and this includes enabling them to have the necessary amount of exercise each day, something which is greatly impacted by the amount of publicly accessible areas that can be used without restrictions, affecting the ability for dogs to be properly exercised as well as posing a threat to the social bonds between dogs and their owners. Similarly, only allowing dog walkers to exercise their dogs off lead after 5pm in many sites has safety implications, particularly when daylight hours are limited.”
The club’s press release suggests that the council should impose “more flexible and targeted measures, such as individual ‘on lead by direction’ orders”. However, that would seem to require the consistent presence of council or police officers empowered to make such orders.
Cllr Glenn Haffenden, lead councillor for urban environment, defended the PSPO terms: “We know that most dog owners are responsible, keeping their dogs under control and clearing up their mess. The proposals will make sure we have the powers to take action against irresponsible dog owners and help tackle the complaints we get about dog-related behaviour.”
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