KC Dog, the Kennel Club scheme in place to help dog owners protect their rights, is alerting all local dog-owning residents in Dorset to the consultation currently being run by Weymouth and Portland Council regarding proposed dog control orders.

One particular order could result in the council having the freedom to make any children’s play areas, sports park or recreation grounds a dog exclusion area in the future, simply by adding a sign at its entrance – without having to re-consult with the public. KC Dog is also concerned with the proposal to ban dogs from part of Weymouth beach all year round.

The proposals would see dog owners penalised for breaking the following restrictions:
1. Failing to remove dog faeces.
2. Not keeping a dog on a lead in specified areas - including roads, pavements, foothpaths, some cemeteries and formal public gardens, selected allotments, several sportsground field perimeters, various recreation grounds and open green spaces, and Weymouth Beach (Pavilion End).
3. Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer - covering all land in the administrative area of the Council, and open to air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment).
4. Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded - including children’s play areas, sports recreation grounds, any sports park or recreation ground with a sign indicating ‘Dog Exclusion Area’ and Weymouth Beach (extending from the Pavilion to the groyne at Greenhill).

The Council is gathering people’s views on a large number of dog control orders in Weymouth and Portland until midnight on Friday 11th September 2009. Formal consultation responses can be submitted via a questionnaire online by visiting the following link: http://www.weymouth.gov.uk/home.asp?sv=1327. Alternatively the public can make representations in writing to: Environmental Health Unit (Dog Control Consultation), Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Council Offices, North Quay, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8TA or by email to envhealth@weymouth.gov.uk.