Over the period since we raised this issue, a new local administration has taken over. The harassment we suffered has diminished and the huge increase in fines for dogs crossing white lines around football pitches has dropped.

In January 2025 there was only one Fixed Penalty Notice under Dog Control, and in February there were none. What a difference!

Further, the stipulation that a dog must be on a lead when on grounds within a football pitch is no longer on the council website:

3. Areas where your dogs are not allowed 

You are not allowed to let your dog enter any children’s play area, bowling green, croquet lawn, skate park, putting green, crazy golf or school grounds that are totally enclosed and have exclusion signs at the entrances.

We commend Plymouth Council for a change in attitude towards the thousands of dog owners who use the public spaces responsibly and hope that in future we may be involved in any new regulations concerning our use of public spaces across Plymouth.