Dog Parks

We love dogs and we know that dogs love the green spaces. Dogs are super welcome with their responsible humans. You know your dog better than anyone and know how friendly and well behaved they will be around other animals.

We know that if you have a nervous or reactive dog, you will want to keep them on a lead for their safety. If your good boy or girl likes to run and sniff and play, make sure that they also have good recall, so that if they approach a reactive dog you can call them back safely.

Be mindful that not all dogs like to play, be approached or sniffed at by other dogs. Be kind to each other. Dog training is a necessary part of dog ownership; if you see a dog that you don’t know, it is a great idea to give them a wide berth and/or check in with the owner about what interaction might be welcome before approaching.

While your dog might be friendly, theirs might not be quite ready for a new buddy. Use common sense and be aware that not all barking is aggressive, but it can be interpreted as aggressive by a nervous dog. Let’s keep them all happy and safe to enjoy the green spaces and the sniff opportunities within.

Sharing Our Green Spaces All Year Round

We recognise that many local people use our parklands daily, all year round, as part of their wellbeing routine. We also welcome families, runners, cyclists, wildlife watchers, and community groups who use these spaces for activities and events.

The aim is simple: shared spaces, shared responsibility. A few practical choices — control, recall, leads where needed, and picking up every time — keep the parks welcoming for everyone.

Dogs and the Law

We hope it never comes to it, but if issues arise, the police may be involved, so it is great to know your rights and responsibilities. This is what the law says…

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

  • injures someone
  • makes someone worried that it might injure them

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

  • it attacks someone’s animal
  • the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’.

Local rules: leads, exclusions and temporary controls

Alongside national law, councils can set local dog control requirements in specific public areas (often through Public Space Protection Orders). These can include:

  • lead requirements in certain locations (for example near play areas, entrances, car parks, sports pitches, or busy routes)
  • dog exclusion zones (commonly children’s play areas)
  • requirements to pick up and, in some areas, to carry dog waste bags
  • additional controls during organised activities or safety concerns

Where signage is in place, or where an authorised person asks for a dog to be put on a lead for safety, owners are expected to comply.

On-Lead and Off-Lead: What “Responsible” Looks Like

Dogs can enjoy off-lead time when it is safe and appropriate — but only when the dog is under control, with reliable recall, and not causing fear, nuisance, or risk to others.

Please keep your dog on a lead when:

  • your dog is reactive, nervous, in training, or has unreliable recall
  • you are passing close to other dogs or people and you’re unsure how they’ll react
  • you are near children’s play areas, entrances, car parks, or other higher-risk locations
  • signage requires it
  • there is an organised event taking place (see below)
  • you are asked to do so for safety reasons

Giving others space is one of the simplest and kindest things we can do — especially for owners working hard with reactive or anxious dogs.

Community Events: Please Support Temporary Lead Requests

Our parks are used for community events and organised activities such as:

  • school cross-country runs
  • charity events and fun days
  • sports matches and training
  • volunteer days and community gatherings

During these times, there may be temporary requests (or signage) to keep dogs on leads or avoid specific areas. This is not “anti-dog” — it’s about safety, safeguarding, and fairness to participants (many of whom are children).

If you are attending an event with your dog, please:

  • keep them close on a short lead where requested
  • avoid letting dogs approach runners, marshals, or groups of children
  • respect any temporary route markings, exclusions, or steward instructions
  • remember that excited barking, chasing, or weaving can be frightening or hazardous in a crowded setting

Dog Fouling: Keeping Our Public Spaces Clean

Picking up after your dog is a basic legal responsibility and a community courtesy. Please carry bags and pick up every time, then use a bin or take it home.

Dog fouling is unpleasant, damages the reputation of responsible dog owners, and creates additional workload for the people maintaining our green spaces.

Dog Fouling on Sports Fields and Public Spaces: Health Risks

Dog fouling on sports pitches, playing fields, and busy public areas presents a serious health risk, particularly to children and anyone taking part in sport or outdoor recreation.

Dog faeces can carry harmful bacteria and parasites, including roundworm (Toxocara) and other organisms that may cause illness. Infection risk increases through contact with contaminated grass, soil, footwear, clothing, hands, and shared sports equipment.

Sports areas are especially sensitive because:

  • players fall, slide, and sit on the ground
  • mud and grass transfer contamination onto skin, kit and footwear
  • balls and equipment are shared and handled repeatedly
  • schools and youth groups use these spaces regularly

For these reasons, please take extra care to:

  • keep dogs off marked pitches and playing areas where possible
  • always pick up immediately and dispose responsibly
  • be vigilant in wet weather, when fouling is harder to see but still hazardous

Most dog owners already do the right thing — this is about protecting children, players, volunteers, and keeping these facilities usable all year.

A Shared Standard

We welcome dogs, and we support dog owners who use the parks every day. By keeping dogs under control, using leads where required (or where it’s simply the right call), supporting community events, and picking up every time, we keep our green spaces safe, friendly and enjoyable for everyone.

 

Further Information and Guidance

If you would like to learn more about dog ownership responsibilities, public space rules, and health guidance, the following sources provide clear and authoritative information: