A new dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area comes into force on January 1.

In Bridport and the surrounding areas, dogs will be excluded from Seatown, West Bay East Beach and the western beach adjacent to the harbour from May 1 to September 30 and all other times will be allowed to exercise off the lead on those beaches. The restrictions do not include West Cliff Beach at West Bay - closest to Eype - or Eype Beach, both of which allow dogs all year round.

Dogs should be kept on leads around West Bay harbour and the esplanade, as well as in cemeteries, church graveyards where dogs are permitted, in public formal gardens, in council-owned allotments where they are allowed, council-owned car parks and within 5m of marked sports pitches.

Dogs are excluded from enclosed children's play areas.

For the first few weeks, the council will focus on advice and guidance to dog owners, explaining the rules.

The order replaces a number of existing dog related PSPOs across the Dorset Council area. The intention is that. The new order will provide clarity and consistency across the area for dog owners and non-owners alike about dog controls on public open spaces such as beaches, sports fields and other public areas.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council portfolio holder for customer and community services, said: "The order has been made to protect the health of Dorset residents and visitors and is particularly aimed at areas that children and families use.

"It focuses on times and places that attract families, but leaves a variety of open spaces, countryside and beaches where there aren't any restrictions.

"It is a compromise, and as such, won't be everyone's ideal situation but it provides a balance for dog owners and non-owners."

The order follows a 15-week consultation that received 8,602 responses, 83 per cent of responses were from local residents, with 15 per cent from visitors and two per cent from other organisations.

Dog owners made up 64 per cent of responses, 36 per cent from non-dog owners and 6.6 per cent of the respondents considered they had a disability.

The recommendations from the consultation were considered and approved by the place and resources overview committee in September and Dorset Council cabinet in October.

The final report from the consultation can be found here

The report that was approved by Dorset Council cabinet is available here

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