Dog Friendly Parks

This order builds on policy already in place in Southampton where dogs are not allowed into play areas, on land used by education or in the lakes/ponds on The Common and East Park. Children using play areas and education land should be able to do so without coming across dog fouling or out of control dogs. Dogs in the lakes and ponds could have a detrimental effect on the wildlife. A full ban of dogs in these areas is therefore considered to be the best way to achieve this. However, a specific area has been set aside in the fishing lake on The Common for dogs to bathe in.

There are certain areas in Southampton which are more sensitive for their users and in these areas we ask that your dog is under closer control by being on a lead. One area is cemeteries, where people visiting graves prefer dogs to be under control and not roaming or fouling on graves (even if it is cleared up). Another area where people have concerns about dogs roaming and fouling is on allotment plots. Therefore this order enforces that on allotments and in cemeteries dogs are kept on a lead at all times.

This order updates current legislation and enables the council to enforce that dog fouling is picked up in all open spaces across the city.

A dog control order is a measure for controlling some potential dog related issues. The power to create dog control orders is provided under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Dog control orders made under this act replace the previous system of Byelaws and policy for the control of dogs and also the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, which has been repealed (cancelled).

The Dogs Fouling of Land Act has some limitations as to areas that are covered for dog fouling. The limitations are that it covers all areas within a 40 mph speed limit. The fines are also set at £50 and cannot be altered. It does not address issues such as prohibiting dogs from sensitive sites such as play areas or school grounds or whether dogs can be required to be kept on leads in certain places. The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 allows council’s to determine the extent of any dog control order to meet local requirements and circumstances. The council needs to balance the needs of those in charge of dogs against the interests of those affected by the activities of dogs, bearing in mind the need for people, in particular children to have access to dog free areas and areas where dogs are kept under strict control.

Yes, responsible dog owners are welcome in all Southampton’s green spaces.

As currently, you will not be able to take your dog into fenced play areas. Play areas which exclude dogs will be clearly marked with a sign.

As currently, you will not be able to take your dog onto any fenced land used by schools. Areas where dogs are excluded will be clearly marked with a sign.

A special area has been set aside at the fishing lake on The Common, otherwise dogs are excluded from the lakes to reduce any possible impact they may have on wildlife and the site of special scientific interest. However, other green spaces across Southampton do not have restrictions on dog swimming, we do ask you to act responsibly and not to allow your dog to worry wildfowl or other wildlife. It is an offence under the Countryside and Wildlife Act and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act to disturb wildlife, such as nesting birds or roosting bats.

You could face a fixed penalty of up to £75 if caught not cleaning up after your dog or up to £1,000 on indictment.

Southampton City Council does not install dog bins, instead you are able to place bagged dog mess into any general waste bin you find.

You could face a fixed penalty fine of up to £75 if caught or up to £1,000 on indictment.

If visiting a cemetery or allotment you will need to keep your dog on a lead. We have found that these areas are more sensitive as people do not like dogs running over relatives graves or over their allotment plot and therefore we ask for a little more control to be taken.

Certain authorised officers of the council are able to request that dogs are placed on a lead by their owners if they are not adequately controlling the dog as appropriate to the situation.

If you witness anyone breaking the dog control order legislation please contact Actionline on 0800 5 19 19 19 or email city.patrol@southampton.gov.uk. Please give us as much detail as you can including: name of site, description of dog and dog owner, date and time the incident was witnessed, any other information such as, is it a regular occurrence, description of car etc. Please do not approach the person yourself.

At a basic level dogs will obey their owners commands. When called they should return immediately to their owner. Dogs should be under a level of control whereby they do not obstruct, disturb, interrupt or annoy other open space users or council employees. Dogs are free to be off a lead in all open spaces across Southampton, however, owners are encouraged to put their dog on a lead when at events, in busy pedestrian areas or when walking close to children.

Dogs are not prohibited from public rights of way. Dog fouling must be removed from public rights of way.

No, dogs are still free to roam parks and open spaces, there may be certain times where it would be more appropriate for a dog to be on a lead such as along a highway, in a car park or if there was an event happening in a park.

No, there are certain fenced areas where dogs are excluded from such as children's play areas and land used by schools.

Yes, signs need to be erected as part of the legislation.

Authorised officers from the Parks team, City Patrol and Environmental Health.

The Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) as defined in the Dog Control Orders will be £75, this must be paid within 14 days of receiving the FPN. This fine is reduced to £50 if paid within ten days. Failure to pay this within the prescribed payment period will lead to the council taking this offence before the local Magistrates Court, where a fine of up to £1,000 may be awarded.