Following pressure from Southport Lib Dem councillors and local campaigners, Labour-controlled Sefton Council last night unexpectedly withdrew a proposal that dogs should be banned from running free in Sefton Council public open spaces.



At Thursday's meeting of Sefton Council, members were being asked to approve a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This included a new provision which bans dogs from running free on ANY designated Council-owned open space where there is an unfenced playground.

Earlier this week Ainsdale's Lib Dem councillor Lynne Thompson highlighted Lib Dem concerns
https://www.qlocal.co.uk/southport/n...n-55048336.htm about the PSPO and called for the new provision to be brought back when there was greater clarity as to what it meant in practice.

"I and my fellow Southport Lib Dem councillors are delighted that the Cabinet Member agreed to defer the PSPO for further consideration. We have made it clear all along that we totally agree with the idea of preventing dogs running free close to children playing on a playground," says Lynne.

Birkdale Lib Dem councillor Simon Shaw also asked a question at the Council meeting as to how big the "designated" areas around unfenced playgrounds were planned to be, only to be told that this had not yet assessed.

Simon added: "It is good that the Labour Party have finally seen sense. Bearing in mind that this PSPO involves penalties for failing to comply, it is only right that it's properly thought through - before agreeing it, rather than afterwards."

I totally disagree! There must be MORE control applied to dog owners. One only has to walk along roads, in the parks and nature reserves to realise that responsible dog owners are a rarity in this town. At a time when lethal disease is uppermost in everyone's mind, it is not advisable to allow some people to leave germ ridden excretia in areas most of the public enjoy going. When ALL dog owners can prove they are totally responsible and ensure that they maintain clean areas - then perhaps they could be given more leeway, but not until then.

Nice work Lynne. Well done.

Originally Posted by said

it is not advisable to allow some people to leave germ ridden excretia in areas most of the public enjoy going.

It’s also not advisable to let halfwits loose on the internet, but someone has clearly left you unsupervised!

Originally Posted by said

I totally disagree! There must be MORE control applied to dog owners. One only has to walk along roads, in the parks and nature reserves to realise that responsible dog owners are a rarity in this town. At a time when lethal disease is uppermost in everyone's mind, it is not advisable to allow some people to leave germ ridden excretia in areas most of the public enjoy going. When ALL dog owners can prove they are totally responsible and ensure that they maintain clean areas - then perhaps they could be given more leeway, but not until then.

On what statistical basis do you come to the conclusion that responsible dog owners are a rarity? Just like you I am unable to prove anything, but I believe that the majority of dog owners ARE responsible. It only takes one irresponsible owner walking their dog on the same route every day and possibly twice a day allowing it to crap in the same area to leave one hell of a mess. I agree that such people are a disgrace and should have their noses rubbed in the said excrement.

Secondly, how do intend getting all dog owners to prove that they are totally responsible? Take them on a trial walk? They're hardly likely to allow their dogs to s**t on the pavement under those circumstances are they?