Changes to dog control rules in a large number of spaces in Widnes and Runcorn are being pushed through without fair consultation with dog-owning residents; despite regularly using one of these locations, I was only made aware of this PSPO on the 31January2020. The order ranges from dogs being required to be on-lead at all times, to a complete exclusion order, with a £100 fine for breaching the order. The 'consultation period' ends on the 10February2020, and next to no signs clearly displayed, with many having been taken down on at least one occasion, and - none of the people I've spoken to at one of the locations since discovering this have been aware of this. 

I feel that the way the whole thing has been handled is unfair and I would like to see the changes dropped, at least until a fair discussion with those who would be most affected by the changes.

More details can be found below, in my email to HBC:

I only discovered these control measures yesterday, as a friend had noticed a couple of signs at Runcorn Hill a few days previous and was remarking that as of yesterday appeared to have been taken down. Today he checked again and found 2 signs, neither in a place I would naturally pass, so I would still have been unaware. I spoke to several dog owners today regarding the order, none of whom had any idea that these orders were even in the works and all would be affected. In the area of Runcorn Hill Park near to the tennis courts and wooded paths, there wasn’t a single notice.

I’m a disabled and run a dog business; not only do I need flat areas, where I can either have my dog on a long line or off-lead but I also recommend clients use Runcorn Hill as a location to socialise their puppies or safely practise recall as it’s possible to get a good amount of space from other users and use a long line to ensure safety. The friend I previously mentioned is a pensioner, who exclusively uses the fields to exercise his dogs as it’s the only flat place where he’s able to let his dog off lead. Both of our dogs have good recalls; however, we are restricted for various reasons as to where we are able to walk. Owners of other dogs, such as greyhounds and whippets, cannot be adequately exercised on-lead due to the nature of the breeds.

The extent to which these control orders will impact the lives of dog owners is clearly not understood by the council, especially as it ranges from dogs to be kept on-lead at all times to full exclusion and the areas include some of the most popular dog walking areas in Halton. I also cannot see how it can be consistently enforced, as the dog fouling alone has been made worse by lack of bins – including the removal of bins in some areas!

I would also like to address the issue of public notification and consultation. I am a dog trainer, I live and work in Halton and yet until the 31st January 2020 I was completely unaware of any such changes and none of the individuals I’ve spoken to since then have had any idea. On at least one occasion, and likely more, notices have been removed or located in inconspicuous areas; this makes it impossible for dog owners to have adequate opportunity to change the outcome. The link to ‘have our say’ has been done in such a way that we would have to know and follow the link to each. Once followed, the only link I was able to find, showed a closed question with yes/no/don’t know options, this shows that the actual feelings of residents aren’t of interest – options for neither/other/open short answer should have been available.

For changes so impactful letters to residents, or vets at the very least, would not seem unreasonable.

I am however a strong believer in responsible dog ownership and have thoughts on possible alternatives:

• Install and maintain more bins – There isn’t a single bin in Runcorn Hills, meaning many owners give up carrying their poo bags before they come back down into the park itself. On the playing fields, there are three bins over two large fields, two of which are relatively close together. Many other areas are in a similar situation.
• Have dogs on lead on the playing field when they’re in use by the football club. The fields aren’t actually owned by the football club so banning dogs is not fair, but this feels like a reasonable compromise.
• Deal with complaints of dog bites more appropriately. October before last, my dog was attacked by another dog in a completely unprovoked attack. This incident required her to have stitches and caused multiple panic attacked and a fear of walking in a certain area of Runcorn (not covered by the orders) which continues to this day. When I reported this to the police, requesting they help obtain at least a partial contribution to my vet expenses and a promise that the owner would muzzle her dog and keep it on lead in future. They asked what I expected them to do about it – much in the way you speak to a child who’s ‘tattled’ – and that they wouldn’t be doing anything.

• Deal with other antisocial behaviours such as playing golf(!) on Runcorn Hill playing fields, or teens cycling in the tennis courts, meaning they couldn’t be used for their proper purpose.

The way this has been done from start to finish feels underhanded and like it’s being pushed through without making people properly aware.