Thanet council Cabinet members are expected to agree to a public consultation over plans for a renewed “Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Control)” which will last for three years and replace the PSPO agreed by Cabinet on the 20th October 2023.
The PSPO will contain a new restriction of no dogs on the beach year round, and dogs on lead on the Northern sea wall, between Cold Harbour and Plum Pudding at Birchington based on the evidence of significant impacts of disturbance on birds in this area received from Bird Wise East Kent.
The Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control was originally approved in October 2017 and was amended and extended in both October 2020 and October 2023, for three years on each occasion.
A report to councillors says: “(The PSPO) has continued to have a positive impact and helped prevent detrimental effects of the quality of the district’s coastal water, the quality of cleanliness on Thanet’s 12 Blue Flag and Seaside Award winning beaches, protection of our coastline, cemeteries and playgrounds.
“The order has helped protect the diversity of bird populations and wildlife at Pegwell Bay upper chalk shore, mudflats and saltmarsh. The order has protected the quality of public health and welfare through enforcement which has been helping promote cleaner beaches, parks, churchyards and fenced playgrounds.”
The changes will be:
- Cold Harbour to Plum Pudding (beach and mud flats) – Currently no restrictions – amending to all year round exclusion of dogs;
- Cold Harbour to Plum Pudding (Northern Sea Wall) – Currently no restrictions – amending to the keeping of dogs on a lead 24hrs a day all year round.
East Kent Birdwise say that during the winter, the seaward side of the area supports one of the largest coastal roosts in East Kent. Species regularly recorded include Dark bellied Brent Geese, with winter totals often reaching around 3,000 birds along the entire stretch and up to 5,000 recorded during 2019 by Reculver Birding.
Enforcement
The PSPO will be enforced by Thanet District Council’s Beach Rangers, Dog Warden Service, Enforcement Education Officer, PCSOs and other council authorised representatives.
The report adds: “Targeted patrolling of problem areas to take place as at present, offering leaflets and advice to dog walkers. Fixed Penalty Notices to be issued immediately to dog fouling or dog control offenders, and for dog exclusion zones.
“Education and advice through stencils and signage via district initiatives to be continued as at present. Beach signs are clearly posted and available to view on the TDC webpage showing the Dog PSPO map, and are also present at every relevant bay and beach in the district.”
There were 248 dog-related breaches recorded for 2026, the majority involving dogs on restricted beach areas.
Between 2025-2026, 29 FPNs were issued for Dog Control PSPO related breaches.
Breaching the rules could result in a fixed penalty fine of £100, reduced to £75 is paid within 14 days. Failure to pay the fixed penalty could lead to a summary conviction and a fine of up to £1000.
Signs
The report says there will be costs for signage for the new restrictions between Cold Harbour and Plum Pudding, and it is also proposed to delineate the boundaries between bays by painting marked lines along the promenade.
The report says the use of floor signage is a more ‘cost effective option’ and funding from Bird Wise East Kent will be explored for implementation of the dogs on leads and dog exclusion signage restrictions.
However, floor signs with ‘dog walking’ QR code stickers placed on the ground at the hoverport in Cliffsend have disappeared within weeks of being installed – most likely after peeling away from the surface.
The tin stickers were to inform people of where they can and can’t walk their pets but they were criticised by environmental activist Nik Mitchell, who runs the Get Wild social media platform, because the tin peeled up from the ground, exposing sharp edges.
A council spokesperson said: “The stickers at the Hoverport site are part of a suite of communications that are being put in place to help people understand where they can or cannot go with their dogs in that area.
“There are plans for fixed signs to provide additional clarity.
“The QR code on the sticker links to all the PSPO information on where dogs are allowed.”
Public Consultation is proposed for 6 weeks from 28th August to 9th October.
It is expected that the order will come into force on 26th November and will remain in force for a period of three years.
Cabinet members will discuss the PSPO at a meeting tomorrow (August 27).
Plus those of us that dont want to be jumped on/tripped up by these things. Believe it or not but not everyone loves dogs and sick of owners thinking they own the path, plus ban those retractable leads!
Then ban them from cafes so we can eat without yapping things spoiling our peace!
Good! They’re a nuisance to cyclists as well as wildlife.
Cyclist are a nuisance to dog walkers!
Not this cyclist, as I always ring my bell if on shared paths (I never cycle on pavements). But dog walkers with long leads don’t understand the word “shared”.
Peter it’s not the dogs that are the problem it’s the owner.
True!
Can we also ban them from cafes and restaurants please?
Maybe they can ban some humans as well, many are worse than dogs, just look at the news.
As a dog owner I have no problem with this proposal. However if there is a concerted effort being put in place to police this can we e pect the same amount of policing to stop cyclist who ignore the restrictions in place on the promenades. They seem to think they do not apply to them.
There are no restrictions on the promenade for cyclists between Reculver and Minnis Bay.
I can’t see due to the location how realistically how this proposal can be policed and by whom .
Glad I have moved to the friendly north….
I’m glad you moved, too.
Plus ca change..
Yes, it is generally more friendly the further you go. I particular like Northumberland, where even in relatively “pricey” (by Northern standards) restaurants they’re down to earth and chatty… I’d move to somewhere like Alnwick tomorrow if I could get the wife to agree!
I was both a cyclist and dog owner for decades. I’ve also studied Life Sciences at undergraduate level. I doubt very much that there is any robust quantitative data regarding disruption to the bird populations. It will all be the anecdotal opinions of addicted twitchers. What about the perpetual nuisance caused by seagulls and their excretions? Is the Council going to legislate on that too?
Meanwhile, the residue of our own species’ existence washes up on every shore daily. Why do you think beaches are so popular with flies? Now there’s a species that should be legislated on by the Council!
Dogs did not acquire the name “Man’s Best Friend” without good reason. Think on that.
Ahhh man, I always look forward to you making a plonker of yourself. “I’ve studied life sciences” and now you spend all day tweeting 😂
Oh bless the entitled dog owners that think the world evolves around them. Quick to shift the blame onto cyclists to detract that they are breaking the laws.
Just because you love a dog sniffing and licking you doesn’t mean the rest of us do, or when we’re using the cycle lane on the West cliff promenade then don’t stand in there yapping. It got marked out for a reason yet ive seen little kids taken out because of mainly old people who think the whole world should stop for them.
Plus stop throwing your poo bags in the trees/bushes like its a Christmas decoration!
I hope this is enforced and the fines flow so the wildlife can be kept safe and so can those that want peace from poo machines!
I should add that I like most dogs, but not running around on promenades or in restaurants.
Once again, the world doesn’t revolve around you (in before one of your attempts at snark that always makes you look silly)
Hypocrisy, from a group (Bird Wise) who’s directly responsible for the significant loss of biodiversity by taking millions in hand outs from housing developments all over Thanet.