Almost 4,000 signatures in petition to stop Sefton banning off lead exercise for dogs

A decision as to whether dogs be banned from being off a lead in areas of Sefton will be made this summer.

Almost 4,000 people have signed an online petition against Sefton banning off lead exercise for dogs but, will it make a difference?

Council's plan for dog free zones and fines for not having a waste bag. Changes put forward by Sefton Council could see dogs banned from playgrounds, sports pitches, nature reserves and sections of beaches.

If approved, the order will cover the whole borough including the beaches at Formby, Crosby, Ainsdale and Southport, which are popular with dog walkers.

Dogs would also be required to be kept on a lead at all times when on public roads and footpaths, in cemeteries, and at designated wildlife areas.

A petition against the order, created by Lyn Hilton, reads: “The council is seeking powers that will enable it to stop dogs from being exercised off lead in public places including parks, woodlands, sand dunes and beaches. We do not want them to do this!"

“Dogs have a right to appropriate exercise under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The RSPCA and Kennel Club agree that this includes regular off lead exercise and socialisation."

“The Council is seeking powers to ban this in almost all public spaces and make it a criminal offence. It is a disproportionate blanket approach and does not address the lack of resources to tackle real issues of concern such as dog fouling and irresponsible ownership."

“There are better balanced and more effective ways of working with dog owners and the community. It will have a negative impact on dogs and on people by creating a disincentive to use our countryside and adopt a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise.”

Sefton Council put forward changes in a proposal for Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was open for a public consultation, which closed on April 11th.

Restrictions could also be imposed on the number of dogs that one person can walk at once, following reports of an increase in the number of professional dog walkers who struggle to control their animals.

Further suggestions in the consultation include how enforcement officers will continue to be able to issue fixed penalty notices of £75 to any one in charge of a dog who does not remove their dog’s mess straightaway; how dog walkers are to always carry a bag or other means for cleaning up after their dog and owners can also be asked to put their dogs on leads when directed to do so by an authorised officer.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “Many other local authorities across the country have introduced similar orders to great effect as it encourages greater responsible dog ownership. It also promotes a cleaner and greener environment which everyone can enjoy.

The RSPCA says council's dog poo crackdown would punish responsible pet owners. A spokesperson said: “Most dog owners across the borough already do most of the things in the proposed order anyway, so if introduced it will have very little or no impact on them at all.”

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “The consultation has now closed and a decision will be made later this year by full Council, hopefully during the summer.”

You can sign the petition by visiting: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-sefton-banning-off-lead-exercise-for-dogs