High Court judge’s ruling will keep dog walkers on a tight leash in public parks

THE High Court has sided with a local authority in its effort to ban dog walkers from handling more than four animals at any one time.

Caroline Summers, a resident of Richmond, south-west London, had appealed against council rules to limit the number of dogs people can exercise in the borough’s parks.

Mrs Justice May yesterday backed Richmond council, which had argued that the restriction was needed to protect park users from large packs of dogs which some owners failed to keep under control.

The rules were approved by Richmond last year as part of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address anti-social activities in public spaces. This also banned drones, fires or barbecues and fireworks.

Mrs Justice May dismissed Ms Summers’ challenge on the limit to the number of dogs, the provision for licences and the proper control of dogs. Her ruling was welcomed by the council. Pamela Fleming, cabinet member for environment, said: “Our intention is not to limit fun, but to ensure that parks are open for all to enjoy.

“We have particularly seen a rise in the number of complaints we are receiving about dogs not being under control and professional dog walkers from other boroughs bringing dogs to our parks.”

While limiting the number of dogs one person can walk to four, the council will also offer up to 18 licences for residents and businesses who want to walk up to six dogs.

It follows a similar restriction imposed by Gosport borough council in Hampshire, where anyone caught walking more than four dogs at once can be fined £100.

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