Now that the local elections are over, we await to see how the new administration will deal with dogs on pitches, whether they will continue the barbaric methods of the previous Conservative executive, or whether they will listen to the vast majority of dog walkers who need a space to properly exercise their animals.
Here is a part of the consultation form 2020 that the council was obliged to carry out if it wanted to introduce a new PSPO. As you can see, question 4 was answered by a majority who said they did not want restrictions on sports fields. Yet the council's recommendation ignored the response of the majority and steamed ahead with its restrictions.
What is the use of a consultation if it is ignored by a biased executive??
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7.2 Proposed new / amended dog control measures
1 Question Result Recommendation
Do you agree that dog owners/walkers should carry something to pick up their dog’s poo, e.g. poo bags?
Yes – 95.1%
No – 4.9%
Include a new offence in the new PSPO
2 Do you agreed that dogs should be kept on a lead in Area A in Central Park?
Yes – 55.3%
No – 44.7%
Include this area in the new PSPO as one where dogs must be kept on a lead
3 Do you agree that dogs should be kept on a lead in Area B in Central Park?
Yes – 23.8%
No – 76.2%
Do not include this area in the new PSPO
4 Do you think the current restriction should be in place all year round on all sports facilities?
Yes – 41.7%
No – 58.3%
Retain the existing control measure in the new PSPO
5 Do you think dogs should be on a lead or excluded from sports facilities?
On a lead – 47.5%
Excluded – 20.2% Neither – 32.3%
Retain the existing control measure in the new PSPO
6 Do you think that dogs should be kept on a lead on the new crematorium site in Plymouth?
Yes – 88.5%
No – 11.5%
Include this area in the new PSPO as one where dogs must be kept on a lead
Do you agree with the proposed wording for when a dog should be put on a lead if requested to do so by an Authorised Officer in such circumstances?
Yes – 87.1%
No – 12.9%
Replace the existing offence with the updated wording in the new PSPO