The new 2024 dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area has officially been confirmed.

This follows the council's Cabinet approving the recommendations made to them in a report for the dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area.

There is now a period of six weeks where the Order can be challenged on the grounds that the council does not have the power to make the Order or include specific requirement within the Order, or that the legislation related to PSPO has not been followed. If there isn't a challenge the order will come into effect on 1 January 2024.

The Cabinet report was formed following an extensive consultation that gathered views from residents, visitors, businesses and other organisations. The survey ran for 10 weeks.

4,221 responses were received. 80% of responses were from local residents, with 16.5% from visitors and 2.8% from other. 62% of responses came from dog owners. 9.5% of the respondents considered themselves having a disability.

The reason for implementing a dog related PSPO on specific beaches and open spaces is to keep them free from dog fouling and safe to use by all .

Insisting that dogs are on leads in particular areas means that the owner has adequate control over the dog which means that they can see if the dog fouls and doesn't cause issues with other people or dogs.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said: "This has been an extensive consultation with a good cross section of people.

"I am very pleased that we have been able to implement the order according to the thoughts of most respondents.

"As the winter requirement to keep dogs on leads at Front Town Beach, Lyme Regis has now been removed, we will undertake a Spring review of that aspect of the Order."

Unless amended at any stage, the Order will remain in place for 3 years.