Fury over plan to force dogs to be kept on leads

Dog walkers are angered by proposals to force pet owners to keep their dogs on leashes on North Denes. Picture: George Ryan (Image: George Ryan)

The borough council launched a consultation on introducing a public space protection order (PSPO) earlier this month to seek more powers to control dogs.

Across large areas of public space in the borough, including play areas, recreation grounds and beach land, the new powers would mean council staff could issue penalty notices of £80 to offenders. The maximum fine for breach of a PSPO is £1000 upon prosecution.

Dog walkers on North Denes were aghast at the proposals.

The council already has in place rules to tackle dog-fouling and promote responsible dog ownership but new laws mean these powers can be extended.

In a statement, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: 'The council already has in place rules to tackle dog-fouling and promote responsible dog ownership.

'But most date to the 1980s and need to be brought under the latest legislation in order to be updated.

'As part of this, the borough council is consulting the public on a diverse package of proposed dog control measures, suggested variously by the borough council, parish councils and key landowners.

'The dogs on lead requirement is just part of that package and is not a new power – current rules already apply to some locations, but the proposal is to review and update the list of sites.'

LAND TO WHICH THE DOGS ON LEAD REQUIREMENT SHALL APPLY

• Promenade adjacent to the beach between Wellington Pier and Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth - To operate from Good Friday or 1st April (which ever falls first) to 30th September each year

• Great Yarmouth (New) Cemetery North, Kitchener Road, Great Yarmouth

• Great Yarmouth (Old) Cemetery South, Kitchener Road, Great Yarmouth

• Great Yarmouth (Caister) Cemetery, Ormesby Road, Caister on Sea

• Promenade adjacent to the beach between the breakwater and Ravine, Gorleston - To operate from Good Friday or 1st April (which ever falls first) to 30th September each year Elder Green Playarea, Elder Green, Gorleston

• Hertford Way Playarea, Hertford Way, Gorleston

• Pine Green Playarea, Pine Green, Gorleston

• Clarendon Close (North) Playarea, Clarendon Close, Great Yarmouth

• Clarendon Close (South) Playarea, Clarendon Close, Great Yarmouth

• Dorset Close Playarea, Dorset Close, Great Yarmouth

• Howard Street South Playarea, Howard Street South, Great Yarmouth

• King Street Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), King Street, Great Yarmouth

• Sidney Close Playarea, Sidney Close, Great Yarmouth

• Green Lane Playing Field, Green Lane, Bradwell

• Generation Wood, Mill Lane, Bradwell

• Roman Fort, Butt Lane, Burgh Castle

• River Way, Belton

• Special Protection Area covering the beach from Salisbury Road, North Denes, Great Yarmouth to Tan Lane, Caister-on-Sea

• St Margaret's Burial Ground and Churchyard, Yarmouth Road, Ormesby St Margaret

• Allotments, Black Street/Low Road, Winterton-on-Sea

• Recreation Ground, Somerton Road, Winterton-on-Sea

• Land adjacent to Village Hall (south), King Street, Winterton-on-Sea

• Caister Roman Fort, Norwich Road, Caister-on-Sea

• The borough council is holding a four-week public consultation, which began on Thursday, September 15 and ends on Monday, October 17

To have your say visit www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/have-your-say. Paper consultation forms will also be available at the neighbourhood offices, Town Hall reception and housing offices. You have until Monday, October 17 to take part.