Dog owners can continue to let their animals roam free on public footpaths after councillors rejected plans to force them to be kept on a lead.

The proposals would have involved extending a Public Spaces Protection Order to The Grove - it is already in place to keep dogs on a lead around the cafe at The Aerodrome in Rickmansworth.

Three Rivers District councillors drew them up after reports of four people being injured by dogs in the area earlier this year.

But, on Tuesday (September 4), a meeting of Three Rivers Council’s Policy and Resources Committee  ruled out the plan, amid concerns it could not be enforced.

Councillors were informed that The Grove had initially told the Council they “were keen” to work with them and the police –  but were now unwilling for their staff to enforce the PSPO.

They were advised that without the support of The Grove it would be “ineffective” to go ahead.

Meanwhile the committee also heard that the response to the public consultation had been mixed.

Some had highlighted incidents of intimidating barking, dogs jumping up or running up to small children and owners who “seem not in control of dogs”.

But the majority (57 per cent) of the 135 people who responded to the survey, were against dogs being kept on a lead in the area.

Even amongst those who use the footpaths without dogs, 50 per cent said they were opposed.

Following the meeting Council Leader and committee chair Cllr Sara Bedford said: “The problem is if you bring in a dogs on leads rule you have to be able to police it – and we didn’t think we had the ability to police it effectively.”

But – regardless of the decision – Council Leader and Committee chair Cllr Sara Bedford says owners who cannot control their animals should keep them on a lead.

“The main thing about having a dog is about being responsible for your dog’s behaviour,” said Cllr Bedford.

“If you can’t trust your dog to behave you should put it on a lead around other dogs or other people.”