As you will recall, the year 2022 was horrendous for people who wanted to use the parks in Plymouth to walk their dogs.

As well as being intimidated by our council's wardens, many, many people were fined £100 for their dog having crossed a white line on to a sports pitch. They were not fined because they hadn't picked up after their dog, but simply because their dog was not on a lead while on the pitch. 

Often people did not know about this rule. To many people, if no-one is playing football and you pick up after your dog, it seems logical that we can all share green space and exercise our pets in public parks.

The council thinks differently. An elitist attitude dictates that even when the players are not using the pitches, no-one else can, either. At least, not people who have dogs off-lead.

181 fines of £100 were issued under Dog Control in 2022.

People who used to use the parks to walk their dogs were scared off by wardens intimidating them, threatening them with calling in the police if they did not cooperate and provide personal details so a fine could be issued.

On February 7th 2023, two of us were subjected to a harrowing two-hour ordeal by two council wardens. We are seniors and ended up in a local doctor's surgery, feeling the worse for wear.

The Plymouth Herald printed a front-page article about it on February 9th.

Since that date, fines have been drastically reduced. This year, in March, April, May, June and July, 5 fines have been issued under Dog Control across the whole city. 

We have no idea why there has been a drop in aggression from the council.

We have been told that the situation of prohibiting your exercising your dog off-lead on a sports pitch is to continue, whether people agree with it or not.

Please contact the people in the council who are responsible for this measure and voice your disapproval!

Contact: Cllr Sally Hayden. sally.haydon@plymouth.gov.uk

Cllr Tom Briars-Delve. tom.briars-delve@plymouth.gov.uk

Cllr Sue Dann. sue.dann@plymouth.gov.uk

Ms Nicola Horne, Head of Dept of Environmental Health. nicola.horne@plymouth.gov.uk