Dogs in parks and open spaces
Dogs need to run around and get exercise and Hackney has lots of green, open spaces loved by dogs and their owners.
Hackney's green spaces and parks are for the whole community; here are a few tips for dog owners to make sure that everyone can enjoy them.
Promoting responsible dog ownership in parks - free information / training sessions
Hackney Council is working with Dogs Trust - the largest dog welfare charity in the UK - to offer microchipping, advice and agilty training for dog owners in the borough's parks throughout 2012. This is part of a wider drive to promote responsible dog ownership in the borough.
Free sessions are being held on the following dates this spring:
- Thursday 1 March - St Johns Church - 11- 3pm
- Tuesday 13 March - Hackney Downs - 11 - 3pm
Thursday 12 April - Butterfield Green - 1 - 5pm Thursday 26 April - St Johns Church 1- 5pm
For further information, you can contact the Parks Department using the details at the top right corner of this page or call the Dogs Trust City Dogs Hotline on 07539 863407.
Dog Control Order consultation
Hackney Council knows the vast majority of dog owners in the borough are responsible. However, feedback from residents and park users has revealed that they are concerned by dogs off their leads, aggressive dogs and dogs in children's play areas.
To help tackle these concerns, the Council launched a twelve-week public consultation on the proposed introduction of several Dog Control Orders during the Summer of 2011. Dog Control Orders, introduced under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, give Local Authorities the power to tackle a variety of dog nuisances. The Council is considering adopting a number of these orders and wanted to hear what residents thought about the proposals.
We are currenting analysing the data from the consultaion and will publish the findings on this web page in the coming months.
The results of the consultation will be published in Spring 2012 with recommendations being phased in through 2012.
For more information on the dog control orders please see Dog Control.
Respecting other park users
Some people, especially small children, can find dogs intimidating. These simple tips will keep the park enjoyable for you, your dog and other people:
- Keep your dog in sight and under control at all times.
- Don't allow your dog to bark loudly, as this can frighten people.
- Make sure your dog does not disturb or harass wildlife.
- Don't allow your dog to damage play equipment or trees. Trees can get infected or die when bark or branches are scratched or pulled off.
- Keep your dog out of children's play areas or other clearly marked dog free areas. This is to ensure that they don't frighten children, foul in areas where children are playing or damage park equipment.
- Dogs that are not fully trained and jump up at people, bark loudly or disturb other people should be kept on leads.
For further information on how dogs can damage trees, and why it is important not to let it happen, please see the dog damage information leaflet (PDF, 775KB) produced by the London Tree Officers Association
Dog training
Training a dog can be very rewarding and spending time with your dog is much more fun if he always comes back when called and doesn't pull on the lead. You can get advice about dog training from your vet and animal welfare organisations.
Dogs that damage public property
Allowing your dog to damage property, including trees and children's play equipment, is a criminal offence and may be subject to prosecution. You should use specially-made dog toys for training and play to avoid serious injuries and to prevent your dog from damaging property.
If you see a dog damaging property please contact the Police on 020 8721 2340 or 0300 123 1212 in non-emergency circumstances or dial 101 for urgent problems.
Bag and bin your dog's mess
Dog mess left in parks is unhygienic, unpleasant for other park users, and can be dangerous for children who will pick up things from the ground without knowing that it is bad for them. Dog mess can also cause damage to plants and harm to animals.
Failing to clean up after your dog is an offence under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. You could face a fixed penalty of £80 or prosecution* if you fail to pick up after your dog. Dog mess should be placed in a sealed bag and deposited in any park litter bin or at home.
* £80 Fixed Penalty Notice is reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. Prosecution for the offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000, plus costs upon conviction.
Animal Welfare Service
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to look after your dog and make sure it doesn't stray. Your dog must wear a tag by law when out in a public place.
If you see a stray dog, or one that's out of control, call the Hackney Animal Warden Service on 020 8356 6688.
For more information see the Animal Welfare Service web page.
Page updated: 8 Feb 2012
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