Dogsey

Councillors in Coventry are set to change planned controversial new dog controls orders after a huge public protest.

Fresh amendments are set to be made to proposed new dog control orders across the city.

The report, to be discussed by members of the Cabinet this afternoon will mean ‘‘responsible dog owners’’ will continue to be able to let their dogs off the lead in parks with sports pitches – except when matches are being played.

The new recommendations have been drawn up following an online petition signed by more than 4,000 people calling for the change.

Campaign group Dogs in Coventry led the calls for change.

Assistant Director for Communities and Health, Simon Brake said: “We have since received a significant number of representations and a petition with more than 4,000 signatures.

“There is clear concern from many residents, as well as parks and community groups, that banning people from letting their dogs off the lead on any Council owned land where there’s a sports pitch is a disproportionate response to the level of problem that exists in the city.

“Many people thought that such measures would be unnecessarily punitive and limiting to dog walkers and their dogs, effectively preventing them from using a number of parks in their entirety, and might also be unenforceable.”

Coun Phil Townshend, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “It is essential that public spaces like our parks and green spaces can be used and enjoyed by everyone, including responsible dog owners.

“We need to strike a balance which allows dogs to be exercised off leads in our parks in a way that doesn’t cause nuisance to others.

“We have received constructive and detailed representations from a number of individuals and organisations, and we have been clear throughout the process of consulting on and finalising the report to Cabinet that we would listen to what Coventry people had to say on the issue.

“We are committed to listening to residents and their views, and I am pleased that we have brought forward proposals that address this issue.”

The revised recommendations will mean that dog owners will only need to put their dogs on a lead around sports pitches when they’re in use for officiated matches. Dog owners will be banned from letting their dogs off the lead in green burial spaces.

A further recommendation will see a consultative group of interested parties, including dog owners and friends of parks group established to support the council’s work in this area.

New national legislation, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allows councils to bring in measures to require dog owners to keep their dogs under control, to prohibit dogs off leads in certain places, and to limit the number of dogs walked at any one time, as well as to continue to require dog owners to clear up after their dogs if required.

The council consulted on introducing the new controls last Autumn, and before Christmas additional recommendations asked Cabinet to include the prohibition of dogs being exercised off their leads on council owned sports pitches and green burial spaces.