NEW RULES and restrictions for dogs have been put in place in the west Dorset area.

A new dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area will be put into action today - it replaces a number of existing dog related PSPOs in the region.

Dogs will not be permitted on Seatown beach, West Bay's East Beach and the western beach adjacent to the harbour from May 1 through to September 30. Outside of these times they will be allowed to exercise on the beaches off lead.

The restrictions do not include West Cliff Beach at West Bay or Eype Beach, both of which will allow dogs all year round.

Dogs must be kept on leads around West Bay harbour and the esplanade, as well as in cemeteries and church graveyards where dogs are permitted, in council-owned allotments, public formal gardens, council-owned car parks and within five metres of marked sports pitches.

Dogs are also excluded from enclosed children’s play areas.

The intention is that the new order will provide clarity and consistency across the region for dog owners and non-owners alike about dog controls in public open spaces such as beaches, sports fields and other public areas across the county.

Councillor Jill Haynes, Dorset Council portfolio holder for customer and community services, said: "The order has been made to protect the health of Dorset residents and visitors and is particularly aimed at areas that children and families use.

"It focuses on times and places that attract families, but leaves a variety of open spaces, countryside and beaches where there aren't any restrictions.

"It is a compromise and, as such, won't be everyone's ideal situation but it provides a balance for dog owners and non-owners.

More than 8,600 responses were received for the PSPO report - 83 per cent of them from local residents and 64 per cent of them dog owners.

The order follows a 15-week consultation that received 8,602 responses, 83 per cent of responses were from local residents, with 15 per cent from visitors and two per cent from other organisations.

Dog owners made up 64 per cent of responses, 36 per cent from non-dog owners and 6.6 per cent of the respondents considered they had a disability.

The next review of the report will take place within the next three years.

The full report is available at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/pdfs/dogs-pspo-2020/dogs-pspo-results/dogs-pspo-consultation-report-2020.pdf