Climb-down on divisive changes to dogs on leads

A dog owner has welcomed a council's apparent climb-down on divisive proposals that would have required pets to be on leads at all times in many of its parks and open spaces.

In March, Warwick District Council postponed a discussion over changes to its Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), for further clarification.

The proposals had suggested widespread increased restrictions in places including Leamington Spa's Victoria Park and Pump Room Gardens, parts of St Nicholas Park in Warwick, and Kenilworth's Abbey Fields.

But recommendations in a report to be approved by the authority's Licensing & Regulatory Committee on Tuesday no longer outline such sweeping alterations.

Kate Pittel from Radford Semele, who started a petition against the original suggestions that was signed by more than 1,600 people, said: "While I am happy they've gone away, they shouldn't have been there in the first place."

PSPOs apply to specified public spaces and restrict antisocial behaviours such as dog fouling and public urination.

Councillors will look at more than 800 public consultation responses alongside evidence from a working group and police on Tuesday when considering proposals to renew, amend and introduce them.

In her petition, Pittel had questioned whether there was a need for additional "really drastic" restrictions for dog owners.

"It was only because we made such a fuss about the last [meeting] that the council had to postpone it," she said.

"It was just ridiculous, it was going to be dogs on leads absolutely everywhere in every single open space in Leamington without the evidence to back it up.

"We got about 1,600 signatures on the petition within a week or so, which is double for what they got on their survey results."

A consultation summary report suggests "strong support" for dogs being kept on leads at St Nicholas Park, with other respondents also mentioning Newbold Comyn.

But Pittel, who has three dogs she walks around her local area and at Newbold, said: "I'm firmly of the belief there shouldn't be any other restrictions there."

Under the updated proposals, dogs will continue to be excluded from children's play areas and sports courts, the racetrack at Warwick Racecourse and Warwickshire Crematorium in Oakley Wood.

They should also continue to be kept on leads across sports pitches when in use and in Jephson Gardens.

In Abbey Fields, suggested changes require dogs to be put on leads in areas including the path linking the car park to the leisure centre, and between Finham Brook and the lake.

Meanwhile, in Victoria Park there is a suggestion to introduce leads for dogs in the skate park area, and in the spectators area at the bowling green, where the annual Bowls England National finals are held.

And at Newbold Comyn, the new rules propose dogs should be excluded solely within the learn to ride and skate park areas.

The meeting is due to start at 17:00 BST.

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