Exercising your dog off lead
You can do this in public open spaces, if:
- the area is not a dog exclusion area;
- or a dog on lead area.
Please note: A Council Officer can require you to put your dog on a lead, if:
- Your dog is behaving badly;
- or being a nuisance.
Where dogs must be kept on a lead
- On roads;
- pavements and verges;
- unfenced children's play areas;
- school grounds;
- public car parks;
- allotments;
- and religious grounds (cemeteries, churches and similar).
Please note: You must also do so if a Council Officer requires you to.
Using an extendable lead
You can walk your dog on an extendable lead, if it is not extended more than six feet six inches. (Almost two metres).
No lead must be longer than this.
Dog exclusion areas
You can only take a dog into these areas if:
- you are registered as blind;
- or you are disabled and rely on the assistance of a dog. These are dogs that are trained by specific charities, such as:
Working Police dogs can also go in with their handler.
If you are not registered blind and have an assistance dog, you cannot take it in areas, like:
- Fenced children's play areas;
- some tennis courts;
- bowling greens;
- skate parks;
- and a limited number of specific named sites that have fenced or unfenced sports pitches.
Council Officers will be happy to answer any questions that you may have, if they are on site. It is also likely that other dog walkers will be able to help you as well.