North Devon wants to limit dog walking group numbers

People in North Devon may not be allowed to walk more than three dogs at a time off their leads in future, or six if they’re on leads.

North Devon Council wants to tighten up rules around dog control and found widespread support for limiting dog-walking to between three and six pets per person.

The council says capping the dog-to-person ratio at six-to-one, with no more than three off the lead at any time, will help manage the negative impact of the intensive walking of dogs.

A Surrey dog walker died on January 12 this year when she was attacked while walking eight dogs, suffering multiple bite wounds.

Some professional dog walkers are concerned the move could lead to price increases and fewer people using their services, leading to dogs not being exercised.

The council is also planning to impose temporary restrictions banning dogs or keeping them on leads for two months in areas with a high incidence of dog-related anti-social behaviour or fouling. This will be done through a legally enforceable Public Space Protection Order.

Around 60 per cent of the 855 responses received to a consultation were in favour of temporary restrictions at hotspots and there was general support for retaining current dog controls by both dog-owning respondents and those who don’t have dogs.

Proposed controls involve excluding dogs from children’s play areas, designated sports pitches, Croyde and Combe Martin beaches between May and September, land used as high tide roosting sites in the winter months, plus rules around dog fouling and length of leads.

A voluntary code of practice has been drawn up for dog-walking businesses in response to a rapid growth in this unregulated sector.

A report to the Monday, December 4 strategy and resources committee says officers consulted with 30 dog-walking firms. It said: “Temporary conditions for dogs on lead should greatly reduce or eradicate the fouling hotspot areas and empower local communities. These areas will have increased monitoring and enforcement.

“Where the above fails to positively influence behaviours, a temporary exclusion of dogs will be an escalation option.”

Paw-print signs could also be introduced, which the report said “should provide a clear and graphical understanding of dog control restrictions and encourage compliance as dog walkers enter and exit from one area to another.”