Dog owners could be fined up to £1,000 for failing to have their pets on leads and taking more than four out at a time in a new ‘Asbo-style’ crackdown.
Tower Hamlets Council in London has this month brought in a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) amid growing public concerns about ‘dangerous dogs’.
The ‘Asbo-style’ rules also cover Victoria Park, which falls under the authority’s jurisdiction – one of the capital’s most visited green spaces.
Under the terms, dogs now have to be on the lead on public roads, pavements and estate communal areas, while walkers are limited to four dogs at a time.
Some locals criticised the new legislation, saying they ‘don’t understand where it all came from’.
Will Kennedy, 28, was accompanied by five dogs when he gave his view – one more than the maximum allowed under new rules.
The walker of two-and-a-half years said: ‘I think it’s just ridiculous, it’s kind of pathetic.
‘I know the kind of people that complain about it – it’s like when you’re in a pub beer garden and they’ll force you to go inside at 10pm on a Friday night, or they’ll tell you to shush when you’re smoking a cigarette outside a pub.
‘It’s the same people who want countryside life, but live in a city with 10 million people in it.
‘There’s no one in the park on a weekday morning other than people with dogs, really, it’s a problem if the dogs are bothering people, but they’re really not.
‘It’d make no difference if I only had four dogs – the people who cause trouble with dogs aren’t dog walkers, dog walkers are on it with having them under control.
‘It’s no more dangerous than if you had a meetup of mums with their kids.’
Professional dog walkers have been told they may apply to the local council for a licence to walk up to six dogs at a time – though that they must provide evidence of insurance and experience.
Tower Hamlets Council says it is currently waiving the need for a licence for professional dog walkers until April 1, at which point a licence will be needed.
The original restriction plans – which would have seen dogs required to remain on leads throughout the whole borough – were watered down after protests from local dog owners.
Pro walker Sarah Williams, 30, was accompanied by four dogs – allowed under the new rules – but said she has walked up to six, for which she would need a new licence.
She said: ‘I understand some of it, you don’t want dogs roaming off lead by the road or on the pavement, because it can be dangerous.
‘Other than that I don’t really understand where it all came from.
‘It feels like this is such a dog-loving area and community.
‘I see the same people and same dogs in the park all the time, and they’re all local people.’
Asked what she thought about potential fines for refusing to put dogs on a lead if approached by a council officer, Ms Williams said: ‘I think that’s crazy, where are we supposed to walk our dogs?
‘It’s not fun for the dogs, they don’t want to go for a walk if they’re on the lead, they’re close to you, and they can’t really do anything.
‘There’s no point to that.’
Local dog owner Will, 31, who asked not to give his surname, said he thought the demographics of the area might play a part in the new restrictions.
The creative worker, who was walking his bull terrier Buzz and whippet Blue, said: ‘It’s frustrating, owning dogs.
‘If a council officer asked me to put my dog on the lead, I’d ignore him.
‘My dogs aren’t a threat, I’ve worked really hard at them and they’re not going to hurt anyone.’
Jo Knowsley, 67, was walking her dog Kallie, 11, in the park.
She said she supported the new restrictions.
Ms Knowsley said: ‘Given what it could have been, they’re probably quite mild and sensible. In this park, there have been some incidents with other dogs.
‘I’m pleased they’ve watered them down. You can’t have control of more than four dogs.’
In the children’s playground, without a dog, Rose McDermott, 69, said she thought the ban should go further.
She said: ‘Dogs running around where children are playing is quite dangerous, some of them are toddling and can’t keep steady.
‘This morning we saw two dogs running free who chased geese into the water, which is quite awful, really, for the geese and the wildlife around here.
‘I’d like to see them on leads in parks, because you get some very vulnerable people coming to parks, you get elderly people and people who can’t see very well.
‘Dogs off the lead present a danger.
‘I think it’s fine in an out-of-city park in the countryside where there are no wild animals, but generally where there are people around they need to be on leads, is my opinion.’
A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: ‘The introduction of the Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aims to reassure residents concerned about dangerous dogs, while also ensuring that responsible dog owners can continue to enjoy our parks and open spaces.
‘The PSPO strikes a balance between the needs of dog owners and the wider community, prioritising safety and wellbeing.
‘These measures bring Tower Hamlets in line with many other local authorities.
‘The council consulted widely, engaging with residents and key animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Kennel Club, and the East London Dog Community.’
