I read about dog control orders in the June 2007 edition of Dogs Today magazine, in an article by Claire Horton-Bussey. Here I summarise what dog control orders are and what they could mean to you and your dog.

Summer walks with your dog are one of life’s pleasures. But this pleasure is becoming increasingly restricted and is potentially under threat. Dogs Today magazine explains that, since the introduction of The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act in 2006, local authorities have the power to enforce dog control orders. Dog control orders can involve banning dogs from public spaces, setting on-lead restrictions, setting multiple-dog walking restrictions, and prohibiting dogs from places such as our beaches.

Failing to comply will be an illegal act that could lead to a penalty (which councils can set themselves) or even prosecution. Such legislation takes away the rights of dog owners and their dogs. More and more local authorities are implementing these dog control orders. It's time to fight for what is important to you, say Dogs Today magazine.

When discussing the implications of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, the Kennel Club says:

“As part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act local authorities will be given the power to issue dog control orders. This means that councils will be able to make an order for a standard offence to apply to land within their area. Offences are likely to cover: not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer; permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded; and taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land.”

Furthermore, The Kennel Club fear that this could have an adverse effect on dogs and their owners, as they explain here:

“The Kennel Club is concerned that the provisions listed above are very general and wide-ranging. This could result in the local authority taking a disproportionate response to irresponsible behaviour by a minority of dog owners at the expense of the majority. Further the Kennel Club is concerned that fines will be invoked too frequently to raise revenue for local authorities (especially if they are not given adequate funding).”

Local authorities can, and some have, taken dog control orders to the extreme. For example, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough in the West Midlands proposed an order to keep dogs on lead at all times in any public space. Such extremes almost seem to go against the ideals of the recent Animal Welfare Act, which states a duty to care for your pet and allow them to exhibit normal animal behaviours. Surely this includes having space to run rather than being constantly restricted to a 1 meter lead. Dogs need to, and should be allowed to, behave like dogs and be exercised properly.

Dog owners can do something to stop these restrictions being imposed. Sandwell is a good example. Huge opposition from dog owners, and bad publicity, lead to Sandwell promising to withdraw and revise the order.

We therefore applaud the power of people’s voices and, as councils are proposing new orders all the time, advise dog owners to keep up to date with all new proposals and planned orders. The next council to propose such an order could be yours.

Visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/295 to keep up to date with proposed orders. KC Dog, a Kennel Club initiative, helps dog owners protect themselves by keeping participants informed about local policies that may affect their rights. Also keep your eye on notices in your local newspaper, often found in small print at the back of the paper with the classified ads.

If you are affected by a dog control order, or one is being planned in your area, contact your local council and local MP immediately, as well as contacting KC Dog. Another organisation well worth contacting is Dogs Trust, who will put pressure on the relevant authorities.

Your collective voices will be heard and can make a difference, so don’t take these dog control orders lying down. Keep your ears and eyes open and get writing, emailing and petitioning now.