Dogsey

Following a public consultation process, Leeds City Council looks set to put new proposals into practice, resulting in tighter restrictions on dog walking. Controls were put into place earlier this year, banning dogs from some parks. A report compiled by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods recommends, in addition to current controls, the following orders:

- Dogs be banned from school grounds if the schools wish an order, and the ban extended to remembrance and wildlife gardens

- Owners forced to keep dogs on leads on roads and adjacent footpaths and grass verges, and in cemeteries and crematoria

- A limit of no more than four dogs walked at the same time by one person. Exception - five or six dogs may be walked by “professional and responsible dog walking businesses” as long as the dogs remain under the full control of the walker

Fines of up to £1000 on conviction for breach of orders are in place; however to avoid prosecution, offenders can choose a fixed-penalty charge of £75, discounted to £50 for early payment.

The report and its recommendations will be considered when the Executive Board meet on 14 December 2011.

The report (agenda item 6) can be viewed via the following link:
http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgConv...x?ID=5233&T=10