Walking your dog off the lead could land you a £1,000 fine in this London borough

Dog owners could be fined up to £1,000 after a London council introduced ‘ridiculous’ Asbo-style restrictions on canines.

Tower Hamlets Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on October 1 which requires dogs to be on a lead on public roads, pavements and estate communal areas. Dog walkers have also been limited to four at a time – otherwise they could face the penalty.

Victoria Park, one of London’s most visited green spaces, falls under Tower Hamlets Council’s authority.

Speaking yesterday, some dog walkers and owners weren’t happy about the rules.

Will Kennedy, 28, who was accompanied by five dogs, bashed the regulations, saying he would start to walk dogs in another borough rather than apply for a licence.

He said: I think it’s just ridiculous, it’s kind of pathetic. I know the kind of people that complain about it – it’s like when you’re in a pub beer garden and they’ll force you to go inside at 10pm on a Friday night, or they’ll tell you to shush when you’re smoking a cigarette outside a pub.

‘It’s the same people who want countryside life, but live in a city with 10 million people in it.

‘There’s no one in the park on a weekday morning other than people with dogs, really. It’s a problem if the dogs are bothering people, but they’re really not.

‘It’d make no difference if I only had four dogs. The people who cause trouble with dogs aren’t dog walkers, dog walkers are on it with having them under control.

‘It’s no more dangerous than if you had a meetup of mums with their kids.’

Pro walker Sarah Williams, 30, was accompanied by four canines but said she has walked up to six, for which she would need a new licence.

She said: ‘I understand some of it. You don’t want dogs roaming off lead by the road or on the pavement because it can be dangerous.

‘Other than that I don’t really understand where it all came from. It feels like this is such a dog-loving area and community.

‘I see the same people and same dogs in the park all the time, and they’re all local people.’

Asked what she thought about potential fines for refusing to put dogs on lead if asked by a council officer, Sarah said: ‘I think that’s crazy, where are we supposed to walk our dogs?

‘It’s not fun for the dogs, they don’t want to go for a walk if they’re on the lead, they’re close to you, and they can’t really do anything. There’s no point to that.’

Professional dog walkers can apply to the council for a licence to walk up to six at a time but have to provide evidence of insurance and experience.

Tower Hamlets Council said it is currently waiving the need for a licence for professional walkers until April 1, when a licence will be needed.

The original plans for the restrictions – which would have seen dogs required to remain on leads throughout the whole borough – were watered down after protests from dog owners in the area.

However some support the new restrictions. Jo Knowsley, 67, who was walking her dog Kallie, 11, in Victoria Park, said: ‘Given what it could have been, they’re probably quite mild and sensible.

In this park, there have been some incidents with other dogs. I’m pleased they’ve watered them down. You can’t have control of more than four dogs.’

And Rose McDermott, 69, said she thought the ban should go further.

‘Dogs running around where children are playing is quite dangerous, some of them are toddling and can’t keep steady,’ Rose said.

‘This morning we saw two dogs running free who chased geese into the water, which is quite awful, really, for the geese and the wildlife around here.

‘I’d like to see them on leads in parks, because you get some very vulnerable people coming to parks, you get elderly people and people who can’t see very well. Dogs off the lead present a danger.

‘I think it’s fine in an out-of-city park in the countryside where there are no wild animals, but generally where there are people around they need to be on leads, is my opinion.’

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: ‘The introduction of the Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aims to reassure residents concerned about dangerous dogs, while also ensuring that responsible dog owners can continue to enjoy our parks and open spaces.

‘The PSPO strikes a balance between the needs of dog owners and the wider community, prioritising safety and wellbeing.

‘These measures bring Tower Hamlets in line with many other local authorities.

‘The council consulted widely, engaging with residents and key animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Kennel Club, and the East London Dog Community.’

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