Moves to ban dogs from school grounds and memorial gardens

DOG owners in Leeds could be banned from taking their pets into school grounds and remembrance gardens as a debate gets underway in the city about whether to extend powers.

The proposed measures being drawn up could also see owners being told to ensure their dog is on a lead at all times when they are near roads.

Leeds City Council is launching a consultation to seek the public’s views on the proposals which would see current powers to control dogs extended.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The authority first introduced dog control orders on February 1 this year, in an attempt to clamp down on nuisance or dangerous behaviour involving the animals in the city.

The orders allow council staff to tell people to put dogs on a lead in public anywhere in Leeds if they are causing a nuisance. Under the current orders, dogs are also banned from play areas in some parks.

Now it wants to hear what people across the city think about a proposal that dogs should be on a lead at all times on certain land.

This includes areas such as cemeteries and crematoria to reduce potential disturbance to visitors, as well as on all carriageways, adjacent footpaths and grass verges, to prevent dogs running into roads.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A council spokesman said: “It is also proposed that this order be applied to cemeteries and crematoria.

“This is because dogs can cause considerable anguish to visitors at an already distressing time, especially if creating a disturbance or fouling.”

The council also wants to find out what views are on the suggestion that the original order – banning dogs from certain areas – should be widened to include school grounds, remembrance and wildlife gardens.

The spokesman added: “It is also proposed to include areas such as school grounds where it might not be possible to keep a dog under close control due to likely distractions which may endanger young and vulnerable people.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The authority has stressed that the proposals are being considered in response to concerns which have been raised by members of the public.

The council’s executive member for environmental services, Coun Mark Dobson, said: “These orders are aimed at controlling dog behaviour – particularly when they are acting dangerously – and we now want to know whether people would like us to take this further.

“For instance, when we have looked at this previously, it has been suggested that there are merits in keeping dogs on leads. The response to our initial consultation was one of the largest we have ever received and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to make their views known on these proposals.”

If the plans are brought in it would be a criminal offence to breach them, resulting in a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction. Alternatively, offenders could choose to pay a fixed penalty charge of £75 to avoid prosecution.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The controls already brought in by the council earlier this year after a public consultation are designed to protect children’s health, deal with nuisance dogs and curb dog fouling.

A full list of land affected by the proposals, further background information and answers to frequently-asked questions about dog control orders can be found on the Leeds City Council website at www.leeds.gov.uk/dogs

This is also where people can find an online questionnaire to submit their views. A copy of the consultation documents and lists identifying land that might be affected can be inspected at the council’s environmental services offices at Millshaw Parkway, Leeds, LS11 0LS. Hard copies of the survey can be requested by calling 0113 395 1765 or people can email a request to [email protected]

The consultation period opened yesterday and all responses need to be submitted by October 14.