More than 1,800 people 'strongly disagree' with 'dog exclusion zones' in Three Rivers

Proposals that could see the number of dogs being walked by one person limited to four and plans which could see dogs banned from certain public spaces were discussed by councillors tonight.

One question asked people whether they want dogs to be kept on a lead near the Cafe in the Park near Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

It then went on to ask: "how strongly do you agree or disagree that keeping dogs on leads should be extended to include other public spaces".

But almost 2,000 people strongly disagreed this, with more than 150 people saying that “dogs need to be able to run free, for their health and sociability”.

One of the most hotly contested aspects of the potential introduction of the Public Spaces Protection Order was the proposal to restrict the number of dogs a person could walk to four.

In excess of 2,700 people voted on this question, with 32 per cent strongly in favour of limiting the number of dogs being walked by one person, but 27 per cent disagreed. An additional 26 per cent of people said they “tend to agree” with the proposal, but just 12 per cent “tend to disagree”.

Janet Newman, owner of a dog walking company called Dogsbody, told the Leisure, Wellbeing and Health Committee about a proposal in Richmond, where licensed dog walkers can walk up to six dogs.

She said: “They have made a six dog rule through their disitrct. However, they have an association which all their members can sign up to and they have a code of conduct. They are effectively the eyes of the ground for the council. And the guy who is head of parks for Richmond council, David Alistair, has said it works extremely well.

“He said it has had a greater impact than we could have had with a four-dog rule. This allows respectable businesses to continue to operate.

“It allows your constituents to continue to enjoy the services offered by local businesses without fear of losing their place or large price increases with obvious difficulties and welfare issues which may follow.”

However, Francis Durham of Shepherds Way, Rickmansworth argued: “People have a right to go unbothered by people’s pet dogs. Owning a pet comes with a responsibility that people might not want to be confronted by the dogs.

“The time has come where there has got to be a lot more consideration by dog owners to keep their animals away from those who do not want to be troubled.

Councillor Debbie Morris, Conservative representative for Moor Park and Eastbury warned that by restricting the number of dogs being walked to four, it could force dog walking businesses to close, or increase prices of other dog walking companies.

She also warned this may lead to the dogs behaving badly due to lack of exercise.

Lib Dem Councillor Chris Whately-Smith told the committee that six dogs would be very difficult for one person to control and Councillor Alison Wall argued that a restriction to four dogs would be the right move.

The Leisure, Wellbeing and Health Committee does not have sufficient power to introduce the new order, so will be decided by the Policy and Resources Committee.