New dog control orders agreed for Bideford, Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows

Dog walkers will have to clean up after their dogs and keep them on a lead in parts of Bideford and Westward Ho! after a series of dog control orders were agreed by Torridge District Council.

The Community and Resources Committee met this week to decide which orders to introduce based on a six-week public consultation which generated 465 responses from the public. 

Members agreed to ban dogs from all children's' play areas under Torridge District Council's control. 

Dog owners will also be responsible for cleaning up after their dogs in all relevant areas in the Torridge District area. If they don't, they could face a fixed penalty notice of £75 and a maximum fine of £1,000. 

Owners must also keep their dogs on a lead in Victoria Park, Bideford. However, a 'Dogs on a Lead by Direction Order' for King George V playing fields by Bideford Rugby Club, means a dog can roam free unless it is causing a nuisance. An authorised person can then direct the owner to put their dog on a lead. This will be reviewed after 12 months. 

A 'Dogs on a Lead by Direction Order' will also be enforced for Northam Burrows from August 1 to February 28. Councillors decided against introducing a 'Dogs on Leads Order' for Northam Burrows after the public consultation revealed just 32% of respondents backed the idea. 

Dogs will also be banned from parts of Westward Ho! beach. They will have to be kept on a lead in other areas and on the Promenade. The order will replace existing dog byelaws for those areas.