Plans to renew dog controls across the Island go out to consultation today (Monday).
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.
Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are being invited to share their views on whether certain rules around dogs in public spaces should be reintroduced.
The council is required to renew these orders every three years. No changes are being proposed.
Have your say
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.
Peacey-Wilcox: Helps us to establish some rules and expectations for dog owner
Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Cabinet member for parks and open spaces, said,
“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.
“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.”
No changes
The council is not proposing any changes to the PSPOs previously in force.
They cover a range of dog control orders and full details can be found on the council’s website. Orders include:
- requiring owners to pick up after their dog in public areas, such as parks and open spaces;
- excluding dogs from selected beaches between 1st May and 30th 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.
After the consultation, all the comments that are made will be considered before any decision is made.
The final decision to agree the new order, with any changes included, will be made by the council’s Cabinet in November.
Find out more
More information about the proposed orders is available on the council’s website.
The consultation closes on Sunday 27th October.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
