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Dog Control Orders

Dog Control Orders

Residents, Friends of Parks, Police and dog walkers have told us they are concerned about the growing number of dogs causing problems in public places. This might involve dog fouling, being out of control or being off lead and causing a nuisance.

For the past two years the council has worked with the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs Home, Wood Green Animal Shelter, Police, Homes for Haringey, Friends of Parks and residents to promote responsible dog ownership.

We know that most dog owners in the borough behave responsibly but what can we do about those who don’t?

In October 2012 Cabinet approved a report proposing the introduction of Dog Control Orders in Haringey. Dog Control Orders will come into effect on 1 April 2013.

Types of Dog Control Orders

The types of Dog Control Orders that will be implemented are:

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Dogs walked freely without a lead

This will be all large parks (over half a hectare) being areas where dogs may be walked or exercised off lead. This promotes healthy exercise for the animals and takes into consideration the needs of the borough's dog owners.

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Dog exclusion (areas where dogs cannot go at all)

This Order will ban dogs from all public playgrounds, sports courts, games areas and marked pitches in our parks and open spaces, including Homes for Haringey land.

Some residents felt that these areas are not places for dogs to be exercised. Many parents avoid these areas because they feel it is not safe for their children to play where there are dogs. Some parents are concerned their children might be exposed to Toxocariasis due to irresponsible owners allowing their dog to foul in these areas.

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Walked with lead (where dogs must be on a lead at all times)

This Order will require dogs to be kept on a lead on all public roads and footways, all public car parks, small areas of public land, parks and open spaces of less than half a hectare and all Homes for Haringey land. The Police asked the council to consider making this Order as they had concerns that dogs off lead can cause traffic accidents and intimidate people.

This Dogs on Lead Order is designed to ensure that our smaller parks and open spaces are free of roaming dogs and the anti-social activities of irresponsible dog owners.

Homes for Haringey has also asked that we make an order requiring dogs to be on a lead whilst on their land so that residents are not affected by roaming dogs and dog mess.

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Dogs to be placed on lead when instructed to do so (by an Authorised Officer)

This order is for the whole borough. It includes all public land, including that controlled by Homes for Haringey. It allows an authorised officer or a Police officer to instruct that a dog be put on a lead, when necessary.

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Dog Fouling

This Order  will cover the whole borough including all public highways, parks and open spaces and Homes for Haringey land. Dog fouling concerns us all. In recent surveys residents said it was one of their primary concerns. Stepping in dog mess is awful for everyone. The blinding disease, Toxocariasis, can be contracted through dog fouling and is a concern for parents with small children. This Order is designed to strengthen the penalty against irresponsible dog owners who allow their dog to foul and make no attempt to clean up after their animal.

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Limit the number of dogs an individual can walk

This Dog Control Order will restrict the number of dogs an individual can walk in a designated area at any time. In line with DEFRA guidelines the council will restrict the number of dogs that can be walked by a single individual in a dog control area to six (professional dog walkers should consult the DEFRA guidelines).

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More information

  • In the attached files section below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) regarding Dog Control Orders that should help to explain them further
  • Please see the cabinet report (PDF, 2MB) approving the introduction of Dog Control Orders. The Cabinet Report includes an appendix with a summary of the Dog Control Order consultation results.
  • The council has provided a map to provide more information and make it easier to visualise where and how the proposed dog control orders will work. This can be found in our Attached Files Section below.
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Maps

The Dog Control Orders can be viewed on Haringey's interactive maps - visit the  Haringey Online Maps page, and then do the following:

  • click on Map Layers in the top left
  • click on the + sign next to Under Consultation at the bottom of the list
  • select which of the different categories you want to view by putting a tick in the box beside each one. You can select as many of these categories as you wish. When you have chosen the categories, click on the Update button, which appears at the top of the lists (you may need to use the scroll bar)
  • the layers you have selected will appear on the map, in the same colour as the icon next to the categories you have ticked
  • you can zoom in on the map by using the toolbar above the centre of the map image

For more help on using the Online Mapping function, click on the ? button at the top right.

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Contact

  • Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
  • Tel 020 8489 1335

Attached Files

Page Last Updated: 11 April 2013

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