Council to discuss new dog walker rules at Dorset park

St Leonards and St Ives Parish Council will continue to discuss their decision to ban dogs from being off the lead at Braeside Road recreation ground.

It follows backlash by residents and dog walkers, with one branding it a “totally unnecessary restriction.”

Town Clerk Jonathon Ross said the subject would be discussed at the next council meeting on September 29.

He said: “The parish council will discuss what we can do. We’ve got a few ideas but we can’t anticipate anything. We want to do what’s right.”

Read more: New rules for dog walkers at Dorset recreation ground

The new restrictions for dog walkers followed ‘daily’ complaints made about people not picking up after their pets, and even a number of instances of dog bites.

The decision was shared on Facebook by St Leonards and St Ives Parish Council last week but faced backlash from many residents, which the town clerk said he was keen to ‘address’.

Speaking to the Daily Echo on Wednesday, Jonathon Ross said: “We’ve had a lot of people in support of it, but also a lot of people complaining about the decision, and I want to address that.

“"We don’t want to upset people, and we’re not here to punish people, so we’re going to be discussing it again.

“There may be some actions that we can take that can please everybody."

It is understood alternative options for dog walkers will be discussed at the upcoming town council meeting and could include a sectioned off area of the park for off-the-lead play and introducing a small self-policing group of dog walkers to make sure people abide by rules.

Jonathon Ross also plans to meet with community group Dorset Dogs ahead of the meeting to seek advice.

He said: “We’re taking this very seriously.

“We anticipate quite a few people attending the meeting to voice their opinion councillors will vote, and will take in account the points residents make.

“There are some sensible options at minimal cost, but I can’t pre-empt what will be said.”