NEW rules for dogs in open spaces across Dorset will come into force as the New Year begins.

A dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area begins on January 1, 2024 and will remain in place for three years.

It replaces the previous dog related PSPO and doesn't include Front Town Beach, Lyme Regis, which was removed from the order.

READ MORE: 'Dogs allowed to roam free on Lyme Regis beach this winter'

The reason for implementing a dog related PSPO on specific beaches and open spaces is to keep them free from dog fouling and safe to use by all, the council says.

"Insisting that dogs are on leads in particular areas means that the owner has adequate control over the dog, which means that they can see if the dog fouls and doesn’t cause issues with other people or dogs," a spokesman said. 

Residents, visitors, businesses, and other organisations were consulted for their views.

The survey ran for 10 weeks, and 4,221 responses were received.

Some 80 per cent of responses were from local residents, with 16.5 per cent from visitors and 2.8 per cent from others.

Some 62 per cent of responses came from dog owners and 9.5 per cent of the respondents considered themselves having a disability.

A winter requirement to keep dogs on leads at Front Town Beach, Lyme Regis was removed from the PSPO.

The 'leads on' requirement did not receive majority support, with 46 per cent of people in favour of maintaining the restriction and 54 per cent in favour of no restriction.

Dorset Council’s Cabinet approved the recommendations made to them in a report.

Officers found that there is limited suitable alternative space in Lyme to exercise a dog off lead during the winter months.

The recommendation said: "Officers have considered adjacent beaches and found them unsuitable as they are either slippery or unstable underfoot for those with mobility issues.

"No open green spaces are available without climbing a gradient."

It also found that there was 'no evidence' of significant use of the Front Town Beach area by families and children compared with other beaches in Dorset without restrictions, 'nor increased level of subsequent risk from dog attacks or fouling contamination'.

View the report that was approved by Dorset Council Cabinet at https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s37251/Recommendation