Consultation is now open on proposals 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.
The aim of the Dog Control PSPO is to ensure that Thanet’s beaches, parks and open spaces remain clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.
The proposed new PSPO includes the continuation of measures in the current PSPO:
- Continuing the strict rule that dog owners must clear up after their pets.
- Keeping dogs on leads in specific public areas, including popular promenades and sensitive wildlife habitats like Pegwell Bay.
- Maintaining seasonal dog exclusion zones on selected beaches from 1 May to 30 September, for retaining Thanet’s prestigious Blue Flag awards.
- A rule requiring owners to put their dog on a lead if asked to do so by an authorised council officer.
Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Community said: “We know that the vast majority of dog owners in Thanet are responsible and care deeply about our local environment. Thanet is home to several internationally important nature reserves where protecting local birds and wildlife from disturbance is a key priority.
“Should the PSPO go ahead as proposed, it will support that responsible ownership while ensuring that everyone—including children, local wildlife and people who don’t have dogs—can all enjoy our beautiful coastline and green spaces safely.
“This consultation is a vital step in our decision-making process. The proposals will help us safeguard our local nature reserves and maintain our award-winning beaches. However, it is important that we hear from the community. Anyone who has a view on these proposals is strongly encouraged to take part.”
The public consultation will allow the community to help shape the final rules before they are presented back to the Cabinet for a final decision later this year.
To view the full details of the proposed dog control measures and to take part in the consultation survey, please visit Your Voice Thanet – yourvoice.thanet.gov.uk
The consultation runs from now until 9 October.
Can we also have a consultation on dogs in restaurants please?
They taste fine I see no problem
Judging by the comments, its not the dogs that are the problem but their stupid owners!
My good god some of these people need to learn how to share this planet, unfortunately most bad owners are also bad parents that’ll teach yhe next generation to be entitled twats!
Dreadful idea, giving unruly litter bug humans the beach from may to September is long enough, the rest of the time should be open to all including pet owners. Or are the do gooders with nothing better to do along with the nanny state government including interfering TDC, which should have better things to be dealing with, such as collecting bins which we pay our council tax for, have nothing better to do. I object to beaches being open to irresponsible parents and kids underc18 un supervised by a responsible adult, its not the dog walkers creating the antisocial behaviour.
Humans don’t tend to bite others, nor, on the whole, urinate nor defecate the beach.
East Kent is dog central and has been for some time.Dogs and their owners have something of an entitlement culture similar to car ownership. Dog owners believe erroneously, that everyone likes dogs, many do, but it is not a universal response. Stopping dogs fouling when the beaches are likely to be used in the summer months is reasonable, not “nanny state”. Often I find those libertarians who scream nanny state at the drop of a hat are prone take liberties with the rest of society.As for the its someone else’s fault, I want to say two wrongs don’t make a right, and to suggest that bad dog owners are also bad parents is a bridge too far.
As for restaurants, it’s up to the owners, but yes I agree perhaps dogs should not be allowed in enclosed restaurants, but I am prepared to compromise on that point.
TDC I have reported 3 broken dog poo bins on the railings beachside on 3 occasions over several months.Guess what nothing has happened and poo bags overspill onto the beach and into the sea.You are just as much to blame.
I see dog walkers walking 100 yards in frot or behind their dogs having no idea that Rover has had a good poo.I once politely mentioned it to a dog owner and was threatened.Like every thing jn life not all people are decent.Try walking down my road to the beach where a dog should be on a lead.Sometimes there are several turds left on the pavement.
When you get a blue flag beach inspection do they audit the overspilling litter bins down all the adjacent streets!
Nonsense I hope there is going to be a beach ban on all the drunks and tents and aiul people leaving there S…