Dog owners will soon be allowed to walk pets through two parks in Bognor and Littlehampton
Changes have been made to the rules.
Dog owners will be allowed to walk their pets through Bognor’s Marine Park and Littlehampton’s Marina Gardens after changes were made to the rules.
But if they take them anywhere near the Littlehampton Miniature Railway, between Norfolk Gardens and Mewsbrook Park, they could find themselves slapped with a £1,000 fine.
The changes were made by Arun District Council after a public consultation into a dog control Public Space Protection Order, which come into effect on 6 November.
They were approved at a meeting of the cabinet.
Other changes mean dogs will have to be kept on a short lead when being walked through cemeteries and church yards.
The list of places where dogs are not allowed is rather long.
They can’t be taken into: children’s play areas (fenced and unfenced), designated picnic areas, water bodies within parks and open spaces (fenced and unfenced), tennis courts, putting greens, pitch and putt courses, adventure/crazy golf courses, bowls greens, BMX tracks, skate parks and games courts.
They must always be kept on a lead in: Steyne Gardens, Bognor Regis Jubilee Gardens, Arundel; Maltravers Leisure Gardens, Littlehampton; Marina Gardens, Littlehampton; Marine Park Gardens, Bognor Regis; Norfolk Leisure Gardens, Littlehampton; Jubilee Field, Bersted; Top Road Playing Field, Slindon; Felpham Beach Hut Greenswards (East and West), Felpham; The Boardwalk, West Beach, Climping; The Spinney, North Bersted; and the fenced boating lake area in Hotham Park, Bognor Regis.
Public Space Protection Orders last for three years and this one was due to expire.
The meeting was told that more than 1,000 people had responded to the consultation, with most agreeing with the changes.
When it came to dog mess, the order was clear – pick it up wherever you are.
The only exceptions were on land used for agriculture or forestry.
There will always be some dog owners who refuse to follow the rules.
Leader Dr James Walsh said:
"Could I make an appeal to the very tiny minority of dog owners who seem to think the regulations don’t apply to them or their dog – it applies to everybody.
"Ignoring it impacts upon potentially everybody.
"Particularly the spread of disease – and particularly to children – is a really worrying feature, particularly in or near play areas."
Dr Walsh also asked people not to hang their poo bags on trees but to put them in the bins provided.