Dog walkers take the lead
Discussions are on-going over an order that could ban dogs from using a path to a popular town park.
Newark and Sherwood District Council had considered imposing a Dog Control Order that would ban dogs from the playing field at the back of the former Minster School site on Church Lane, Southwell.
But it is reviewing its plans after Southwell Town Council pointed out that the order would also cover a footpath that takes dog owners and their pets on to War Memorial Park.
A member of the town council’s finance and policy committee, Mr Roger Dobson, said it was a favourite area for walking dogs.
He said there was no reason to ban dogs from the path as long as they were on a lead.
The town council requested that the complete dog ban be maintained on the playing field, but the order covering the footpath should be relaxed to allow dogs to use it, so long as they are kept on their leads.
The district councils environment manager, Mr Alan Batty, said having two different orders in the same area could be confusing for owners.
He said: “A solution could be to have the single order requiring that dogs be kept on leads anywhere in this area. Owners would also be expected to clear up dog faeces or face a fine.
“Further discussions will be held with the town council before an order is introduced.”
The district council imposed the order in a bid to tackle problems of dog mess in places used by the public.
The order gives the council’s animal welfare officers, park rangers, and police community support officers the power to issue on-the-spot fines of £75 for failing to remove dog faeces.
Fixed penalty notices could also be issued where people fail to meet requirements to put or keep a dog on a lead when directed to do so.
Other dog exclusion areas will be the Norwood Gardens play area and Centenary Ground playing fields.
The enclosed toddlers’ play area at War Memorial Park is already included in the exclusion order.
Areas in Southwell where dogs must be kept on a lead are Bramley Close playground, Riverside Walk, War Memorial Park, The Burgage, Froggatt’s Field and the Edward Cludd pond area.
