Annual restrictions on what beaches dogs can be walked on through the summer come back into force this week.
Dorset Council’s current dog related Public Spaces Protection Order started on January 1, 2024 and expires at the end of this year, whereby seasonal rules apply to public places.
From Friday, May 1, areas across the county, including many beaches, will become completely off limits to dog walkers until Wednesday, September 30.
Dogs are prohibited on Weymouth (sandy) Beach. The prohibited area runs from the northern boundary of the designated dog area at the Pavilion to the Groyne at Greenhill.
Dogs are permitted all-year round in the official exercise area near the Pavilion and also from Greenhill Groyne to Overcombe.
Dogs are allowed all year round at Bowleaze Cove, Chesil Beach (at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary), Church Ope Cove on Portland, Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve (South West Path only) and Ringstead Beach.
The Order also states that dogs must be kept on a lead in cemeteries, churchyard, graveyards, council owned allotments and formal public gardens.
They must also be on leads within 5m of sports pitches, council owned car parks, on the Rodwell Trail and on roads and walkways within close proximity to certain beaches.
Owners are to pick up dog faeces in all public spaces and dispose of it appropriately and are to put their pets on a lead if or when instructed to do so by an authorised officer.
The penalty for not complying with these restrictions is a £100 fine to be paid in 28 days. If paid within two weeks, owners will only be subject to a £75 fine.
Some exemptions do apply to the order, mainly relating to those with poor dexterity or disability, as well as when enabling those with assistance dogs to access excluded areas.
The reason for implementing a dog related PSPO on specific beaches and open spaces is to keep them free from dog fouling and safe to use by all, the council says.
"Insisting that dogs are on leads in particular areas means that the owner has adequate control over the dog, which means that they can see if the dog fouls and doesn’t cause issues with other people or dogs," a spokesman formerly said.
Owners can speak to The Dog Warden with any dog related issues through Dorset Council’s website.
The full report, including any areas of exemption can be found here https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/dog-public-spaces-protection-orders.
