Park bans hound out dog walkers

‘Some local authorities seem to be waging a war on dogs and their owners’

DOG walking has been banned or severely restricted in more than 3,300 open spaces in two years since the introduction of Asbo-style control orders.

The Kennel Club accused councils of waging a “war on dogs”, while campaigners against over-regulation said it signalled a worrying trend towards “criminalising” everyday life.

It is the latest in a series of cases raising concerns over the use of so-called Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which allow councils to ban specific activities within certain areas.

The orders, intended to prevent threatening or violent behaviour, have been used to outlaw sheep, lucky charms, chalk drawings, singing and even, in one case, carrying a golf bag.

According to estimates by the Kennel Club, dogs have been banned from at least 2,205 public places including parks, playing fields and beaches in England and Wales. They have also been forbidden from running or playing off a lead in 1,100 other places.

Caroline Kisko, of the Kennel Club, said: “Some local authorities seem to be waging a war on dogs and their owners.” Josie Appleton, of the Manifesto Club think tank, said: “The tendency to see people and dogs from the point of view of nuisance is very worrying.”