Plans to renew dog controls across the Island have gone out to consultation today (Monday) after the Isle of Wight Council let the existing legal orders lapse.
Public Spaces Protection Orders, or PSPOs, allow the Isle of Wight Council to continue protecting the Island’s beaches and public spaces for locals and visitors to enjoy. The council is required to renew these orders every 3 years, but earlier this year Island Echo reported that a ban on dogs being allowed on the beaches during the Summer months was no longer enforceable.
Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are now being invited to share their views on whether certain rules around dogs in public spaces should be reintroduced. No changes are being proposed by the local authority.
The consultation asks questions on a variety of dog control-related issues. Feedback from the consultation will help to shape and inform whether the council reintroduces a dog control PSPO.
Residents can complete the survey by visiting the council’s website – https://www.iow.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-heritage/recreation-and-lesiure/parks-and-public-spaces/public-spaces-protection-order-pspo/.
Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Cabinet member for parks and open spaces, says:
“We know that the vast majority of dogs are well behaved and their owners are law abiding and respectful of others around them.
“Dog ownership is a very positive experience for many residents, providing companionship and improving exercise rates and mental health of their owners.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is not the intention of a PSPO to penalise responsible dog owners. A PSPO helps us to establish some rules and expectations for dog owners.”
The proposed PSPOs include:
- requiring owners to pick up after their dog in public areas, such as parks and open spaces;
- excluding dogs from selected beaches between 1 May and 30 September (the majority of Island beaches welcome dogs all year round);
- requiring dogs to be on a lead in Island cemeteries; and
- restricting dogs from fenced children’s play areas
The final decision to agree the new order, with any changes included, will be made by the council’s Cabinet in November.
The consultation closes on Sunday 27th October 2024.
Sadly cllr peacey the dozens of owners who drive down to Ryde beach to use it as their personal dog toilet don’t seem to have heard your message, they never pick up their dogs mess and leave for beachgoers to find when it is on their clothes and on their children, these scum know they are in the wrong because they arrive in the early hours of the morning.
Can I ask, how much does it cost the island to obtain and get this license?