Under proposed new regulations, dog owners could face fines of up to £100.
Medway Council is seeking public input on a potential public space protection order (PSPO) aimed at banning dogs from certain areas and mandating that they be leashed in others.
The proposed PSPO is designed to enhance community safety and improve the local environment by establishing dog exclusion zones, managing where dogs can be off-lead, restricting the number of dogs one person can walk at a time, and addressing dog fouling issues.
Residents are being asked to share their opinions on the proposal, which would see dogs prohibited from play areas and multi-use game areas (MUGA) in 99 local parks. Notable locations affected include the play area and open space at Allhallows Road, the sports pavilion and play areas at Barnfield Recreation Ground, and the outdoor gym and basketball area at Hempstead Play Recreation Ground.
Additionally, there are six sites where dogs would need to be on a lead, including the car parks, pond areas, and picnic spots in Riverside Country Park, and the car parks and pond area in Capstone Country Park. Dogs would also need to be leashed in Chatham, Rochester, Woodlands, and Strood cemeteries.
Under the new rules, individuals found in violation could receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, which can be reduced to £75 if paid within two weeks. The PSPO would also limit the number of dogs one person can walk to four.
While the council has not yet addressed possible exemptions for professional dog walkers or doggy day care services, it will consider these based on feedback from the consultation.
The PSPO would empower the council and police to enforce these rules more effectively, including the issuance of fixed penalty notices. Individuals breaking the rules would be required to provide their name, address, and date of birth to enforcement officers.
The public consultation is open until September 6, and residents are encouraged to learn more and submit their feedback through the council’s website. After the consultation period, council officers will review the responses and decide on the next steps.
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