Mandatory Leashing of Dogs at All Times in Public Spaces:

Impact on Dogs' Well-being: Dogs need regular exercise and socialization for their physical and mental health. Allowing dogs to run freely in designated areas is essential for their development and happiness. Continuous leashing can lead to increased anxiety and behavioral problems in dogs.

Loss of Community Spirit: Many local parks and green spaces in Tower Hamlets serve as social hubs for dog owners. These spaces provide opportunities for community bonding and mutual support among residents. Enforcing leashing at all times would disrupt this community dynamic and limit social interactions.

Existing Regulations on Dangerous Dogs: Current legislation, such as the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and other local by-laws, already provides sufficient measures to address issues with dangerous or poorly behaved dogs. These laws ensure that any dog exhibiting aggressive behaviour can be controlled and, if necessary, removed from public spaces. Implementing a blanket leash requirement is an excessive measure that penalises all dog owners rather than targeting the problematic few.

Overcrowding of Designated Unleashed Areas: Requiring all dogs to be on leads in public spaces will likely lead to overcrowding in the limited designated off-leash areas. This can cause stress and potential conflict among dogs that are used to having more space to run and play. Overcrowded conditions can increase the risk of accidents and altercations between dogs, counteracting the intended safety benefits of the PSPO.

2. Restriction on the Number of Dogs a Dog Walker Can Handle:

Professional Impact: Many professional dog walkers rely on their ability to walk multiple dogs to sustain their businesses. Restricting the number of dogs they can walk will negatively impact their livelihoods and could lead to increased costs for dog owners.

Safety and Responsibility: Professional dog walkers are trained to manage multiple dogs effectively and safely. Arbitrary restrictions do not account for the skills and experience of individual dog walkers. Instead, regulations should focus on ensuring professional standards and proper training.
Unintended Consequences: Limiting the number of dogs per walker could lead to more frequent and unnecessary car journeys to transport dogs to and from different locations, increasing traffic and environmental impact.

General points

Better Use of Enforcement Resources
Tower Hamlets faces significant challenges with violent crime, including knife crime and muggings. We believe that enforcement resources would be better utilized in tackling these serious issues that pose a direct threat to the safety of all residents. Redirecting resources to address violent crime would have a more meaningful impact on community safety than enforcing restrictions on dog walking.

Historical Tradition of Dog-Friendliness in the UK
The United Kingdom has a long-standing tradition of being a dog-friendly country. For centuries, dogs have been cherished companions and valued members of British households. The UK's parks, green spaces, and countryside have historically been places where dogs can run freely, socialise, and exercise. This tradition of dog-friendliness is an integral part of our cultural heritage and community life. Restrictive measures such as those proposed in the PSPO undermine this cherished tradition. Instead of enhancing community well-being, they threaten to erode the harmonious coexistence between dog owners and non-dog owners that has been a hallmark of British society.

Economic Impact on the Community
The proposed restrictions would not only affect dog owners and walkers but also have broader economic implications. Professional dog walking services contribute significantly to the local economy, providing employment and supporting small businesses. Limiting the number of dogs a walker can handle will likely result in higher costs for dog owners, decreased demand for services, and potential job losses within this sector.

Alternative recommendation - Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership Through Education

Rather than imposing restrictive measures, we advocate for promoting responsible dog ownership through education and community engagement. Educational programs can effectively address concerns about dog behavior and safety by:

- Raising awareness about existing regulations and the importance of adhering to them.

- Providing training for dog owners on how to manage their pets responsibly in public spaces.

- Encouraging the use of existing community resources, such as local dog training schools, to improve dog behaviour and owner responsibility.

By fostering a culture of responsible dog ownership, we can address concerns about safety and behaviour without resorting to punitive measures that affect the entire community.

Our Request
We respectfully request that the Tower Hamlets Borough Council reconsider these aspects of the PSPO. Existing regulations already address concerns about dog behaviour and safety. Instead of imposing new restrictive measures, we urge the council to enforce current laws more effectively.

By focusing on the enforcement of existing regulations, promoting responsible dog ownership through education, and redirecting resources to tackle violent crime, we can ensure that our community remains safe and dog-friendly.

We urge the Tower Hamlets Borough Council to engage in an open dialogue with the community to find a fair and effective solution that reflects the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.

Sincerely,

This Petition ran from 23/07/2024 to 16/09/2024 and has now finished.

2511 people signed this Petition.