Dear All
https://beta.lbhf.gov.uk/responsible-dog-ownership-protection-order-pspo
The Council write …
... In response to feedback from local residents, we've introduced a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to help reduce anti-social behaviour related to dogs.
The new PSPO came into force on 18 June 2023 and will end on 17 May 2026.
It will introduce 6 new requirements and restrictions for dog owners and dog walkers.
What are the requirements?
Dog exclusion zones
You are prohibited from taking any dog onto any:
- children's play areas
- fenced sporting areas
- fenced war memorial areas in the borough.
You are also prohibited from taking any dog onto any of the restricted areas outlined on each of the park and open spaces pages in this guide.
Exemptions apply to any:
- blind person
- physically or mentally Disabled person who uses a guide dog for assistance, trained by a member of Assistance Dogs UK or any other UK registered charity whose activities include the training of dogs.
Lead requirement zones
You must keep any dog on a lead in all:
- cemeteries and churchyards
- wildlife conservation areas including Wormwood Scrubs and Bishop's Park
- café and tea houses
- outdoor gyms
- the restricted areas outlined on.
Leads-on-request
You must put and keep any dog on a lead when directed to do so by an H&F Law Enforcement Team officer or other authorised council staff.
They may only give a direction if necessary to prevent a nuisance or disturbance to any other person or animal.
The restrictions apply borough-wide.
There are instructions for several Parks and the local ones are shown below:
CATHNOR PARK
Dog free zones
The dog free zones are the:
- large expanse of amenity grass (north)
- younger children’s play area (south-west)
- older children’s climbing frame (south).
Dogs on leads
Dogs must be kept on leads in the area adjacent to the boundary with Hammersmith Academy running from the southern corner of the park in a north-easterly direction.
RAVENSCOURT PARK
Dog free zones
The dog free zones are the:
- north playground
- wildlife garden and walled garden (north)
- 2 fenced picnic areas adjacent to the east of the lake (north)
- fenced area around the lake (north)
- tennis courts by Ravenscourt Square entrance (west)
- sports pitches to the south-east of the tennis courts (west)
- Ravenscourt Park Bowls Club (east of the park on the Ravenscourt Road boundary)
- grassed picnic area (east of the park on the Ravenscourt Road boundary)
- south play area (east of the park on the Ravenscourt Road boundary)
- 2 sets of tennis courts (east of the park on the Ravenscourt Road boundary)
- paddling pool (west of the tennis courts)
- sandpit area and children’s playground (west of the tennis courts)
- small circular flower bed and flagpole (south).
Dogs on leads
Dogs must be kept on their leads in the
- space to the front of the entrance to the café (east)
- linear wildlife space to the west of the football pitches (west).
What happens if you fail to comply with this order?
H&F Council’s Law Enforcement Team (LET) officers and other authorised personnel such as police officers and community support officers can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to anyone who does not comply with the rules.
The person believed to have committed the offence will have 14 days to pay the fixed penalty of £100 (£60 if paid within 7 days), failing which they may be prosecuted.
Any person who repeatedly commits an offence against the new rules and regulations may be liable to be prosecuted and, on summary conviction, to a fine of up to £1,000.
BEWARE ….
