What a responsible dog owner can do

Clearing up after your dog

Everyone knows of the potential for dog faeces to carry disease as well as unpleasant odour when caught on shoes or wheels of wheelchairs, prams, bikes or scooters. It is an offence not to clear up after dogs and offenders will receive a fixed penalty notice. There are a few exceptions but in general terms, any open land that the public has access to, whether by payment or not is within the order.

Keeping your dog under control when on and off a lead

The person responsible for the dog should be able to ensure that the dog will return to heel when requested and will respond to simple commands. That person should also be able to hold or restrain the dog should the need arise.

Preventing your dog from straying

By ensuring that your home and garden is secure and your dog responds to commands or remains on a lead when in public places.  Dogs should be under control of its owner or responsible person at all times.  

Do not leave your dog in hot cars

Even an open window may not be sufficient to ensure that a dog does not over heat. It may be better to leave dogs at home where they have the comfort of shade and available drinking water.

Making sure your dog doesn't bark excessively

We all recognise that dogs bark, however excessive dog barking is both stressful to the dog and upsetting to those listening to it.  If you believe that you have a problem or have been advised that your dog barks excessively then consider what action you can take to resolve the problem.  It may be that your dog is bored or anxious when left alone.  A low volume radio left on can help to settle your dog but you may want to think about training your dog or speaking to the Dog warden for initial advice.

Complying with West Dorset Dog Control Orders

There are a number of control orders in West Dorset. They seek to ensure dog owners:

• Clear up after their dogs

• Keep their dogs off children's playgrounds and marked sports pitches

• Keep dogs on leads in parts of West Bay, along Marine Parade and Cain Road, Lyme Regis and exclusion on some of the beach areas

• Keep their dogs off Front Town Beach, Lyme Regis from 1 April to 31 October and for the remainder of the year dogs are to be kept on a lead

• Keep their dogs off West Bay beach from 1 May to 31 September

Information signs are provided in these areas to show where the areas of concern are and the nature of the order associated with it.

There are also local byelaws related to some beaches and parks produced by the town and parish councils in the area. These areas also have information signs and further information on the Dog Control Orders are given below.

Dog Exclusion Orders

On some beaches at West Bay and Lyme Regis dogs are excluded at certain times of the year.  Dogs are also not allowed on sports pitches and children's playgrounds and these areas are signed throughout the district. Non-compliance may lead to prosecution however you can avoid this by accepting a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £50 if paid within the first 14 days going up to £75 for the final 7 days.

Dog Fouling Orders

The Council enforces Dog Fouling Orders across district. Unless you have permission from the landowner this means all areas open to the public should be considered as areas where you clear up after dogs. The aim of this is to prevent the spread of disease as well as the potential for others to pick up on shoes, wheelchair, pram and bicycles wheels, Non-compliance to the order may lead to prosecution. However you can avoid this by accepting a FPN of £50 if paid within the first 14 days, going up to £75 for the final 7 days. Signs are placed in areas of the district however there may not be a sign in every location this applies since this order covers such a wide area.

Dogs on Leads Orders

Dogs on Leads Orders only exist in a few areas of the district. Clear signs identify these. The most obvious of these relate to the promenades next to the two beach ban areas in Lyme Regis and West Bay. Non-compliance may lead to prosecution. However, you can avoid this by accepting a FPN of £50 if paid within the first 14 days going up to £75 for the final 7 days.

Non payment of any FPN without a valid excuse means court action will be pursued in line with West Dorset District Council's Enforcement Policy and procedures. 

Further Advice

The dog warden will be happy to accept calls from members of the public on all dog related issues. If you have queries please contact the dog warden on 01305 251010.