Dog control orders? You're barking mad (From Bournemouth Echo)

Dog control orders? You're barking mad

12:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News

TRIUMPH: Dog owners have overturned council plans

PEOPLE and pooch power has proved potent in Christchurch as dog owners managed to overturn some contentious control orders for the borough.

Last year, owners launched a strident campaign, unhappy with some of the proposals Christchurch council were consulting on.

Hundreds of local people responded to the consultation urging the council not to punish responsible dog owners for the actions of a few.

This referred to the proposed exclusion of dogs between April 1 and September 30 between the car park at Avon Beach and the end of the beach huts at Friars Cliff, potentially extending the period by one month.

Other orders out to consultation would have required dogs on leads in areas including Mudeford Wood disabled access path, Steamer Point nature reserve, Druitt Gardens, Convent Walk and Christchurch Priory Gardens.

But, thanks to more than 715 responses as part of the consultation, some of the control orders have been adapted.

In relation to the dogs on leads order, many referred to Steamer Point’s inclusion as unnecessary, with it now being removed from the final draft.

Mudeford Wood disabled access path has also been removed.

And where dogs are now permanently excluded, the order now applies from May until September rather than the proposed April.

This applies to at Avon Beach to Friars Cliff and also along a section of Highcliffe beach.

There was widespread support for the dog fouling order, which applies to all public land as well as the dogs on leads by direction order.

Speaking at the community services committee, which unanimously approved the orders last week, Cllr Mike Duckworth, said: “This seems to have been going on forever.

“I am happy we have arrived where we are now though.

“As a dog owner I despise people who do not pick up after their dogs and that is the key at the end of the day.

“In my patch, we get many hundreds of dogs throughout the day and along Steamer Point.

“It does seem the only time we really get any trouble is when the tourists arrive.”

Cllr Margaret Phipps, portfolio holder for the environment, pictured, added: “It has been a long haul.

“But what we didn’t want to see is responsible members of the public punished for the few that do cause problems.”

Dog Fouling Order applies to all public land.

Dogs on Leads order applies to Druitt Gardens, Christchurch Priory Gardens, Convent Walk, Jumpers Cemetery and from May 1 until September 30 between Avon Beach and Friars Cliff on the promenade, cliff steps and cliff pathways.

Dog Exclusion in all children’s play areas and from May 1 until September 30 from Avon Beach to Friars Cliff and Highcliffe beach.

Dogs on Leads by Direction applies to all public land except Forestry Commission land.