Responsible Dog Walking in Rochford’s Woods, Parks and Open
Spaces
Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience and many people
enjoy walking their dogs in the woods, parks and open spaces in the
Rochford District Council area. The Council is delighted that these
facilities are being used by our residents and visitors, however,
these areas are also used by families who are not dog owners, some
of whom are frightened of dogs.
The Council believes that the woods, parks and open spaces
should be enjoyed by everyone, but occasionally we do get
complaints regarding the behaviour of some dogs or their owners in
these areas.
We would like to take this opportunity to point out the most
common complaints that we receive.
- Dog Fouling - This is one subject that irritates lots of
people, including many dog owners! We all know that it’s not very
nice to walk in dogs mess, so please make sure that when you take
your dog for a walk that you take bags or poop scoops to clear up
after your dog and dispose of it in the dog bins provided or take
it home and put it in your non recyclables bin.
- Controlling your Dogs - The woods and open spaces are ideal
places to exercise your dog, but please respect other users of
these areas. Not everyone likes dogs and even if you think that
your dog is good and wouldn’t hurt anyone, other people don’t know
that. Please make sure that you have control of your dog at all
times and if necessary put your dog on a lead. This is especially
important if you are approaching families with young children or
people riding horses.
- Multiple Dog Walking - We have received calls from non dog
walkers, especially in Hockley Woods, when they come across groups
of people walking several dogs or even one person walking several
dogs, as they find this very intimidating. Rochford District
Council does not restrict the number of dogs that people walk in
the woods, parks and open spaces, but please respect other users of
these areas who may not be not be confident around dogs or who
simply may not like dogs jumping up on them. Please make sure that
you have full control of these dogs and if necessary, put them on
leads.
- Lost/Stray Dogs - Please make sure that your dog has a collar
with your name and address inscribed on it or on a tag or plate on
the collar, -this is still a legal requirement, even though we
strongly recommend getting your dog micro chipped as well - so that
if it gets lost, it can be returned to you as soon as
possible.
To enable you to enjoy the woods and open spaces within the
district, it is necessary for them to be managed by our Woodland
and Open Spaces Officers or their Contractors. Sometimes, this
involves the use of machinery within these areas. This type of work
is essential to maintain the woods in the best possible condition.
Please put your dog on a lead when approaching such works or take
an alternative route.
As a responsible dog walker, you should also be aware that
Rochford District Council has made Dog Control Orders under The
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. These orders and
their general meaning are:
- The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Rochford) Order 2008 makes it an
offence to fail to clear up after your dog in public places.
- The Dog Exclusion (Rochford) Order 2008 makes it an offence to
allow dogs in the enclosed children’s play spaces in the
district.
- The Dogs on Lead (Rochford) Order 2008 dogs means that all dogs
must be kept on leads on all roads within the district.
- The Dogs on a Lead by Direction (Rochford) Order 2008 makes it
an offence not to comply with a direction given by an authorised
officer of Rochford District Council to put and keep a dog on a
lead.