OWNERS can face up to a £1,000 fine if they breach new dog control regulations imposed across Hastings and St Leonards.
Hastings Borough Council has updated its rules around where dogs are allowed to be on the beaches and in parks and green spaces across Hastings and St Leonards.
The rules are aimed to keep residents and visitors safe, and these regulations are:
- dogs must be on a lead along the whole promenade;
- no more than six dogs can be taken out by one person at any time;
- all dog fouling across the borough must be picked up and put in a bin.
The borough council confirms there will be two dog exclusion areas on the beach over the summer months from April 1 to September 30.
These exclusion zones are from the east of Rock-a-Nore to the east side of Hastings Pier and from the west end of Bottle Alley to opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel.
Dogs are allowed on the beach either on or off-lead at any time on the beach from the west of Hastings Pier to the west end of Bottle Alley, and from opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel until the border with Rother where their restrictions take over.
For the winter period (1 October 1 to March 31), dogs are allowed on all parts of the beach either on or off-lead.
There are also restrictions in parks and green spaces across the borough, with dogs not allowed in any of the water in Alexandra Park or St Leonards Gardens.
Dogs are also not allowed in children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks, tennis courts or bowls greens.
They must be on leads at specified times in the parks, dog owners are asked to check signage within the parks to confirm the details.
New signage is being installed along the seafront, in the parks and green spaces, and across the borough to let people know about the restrictions.
Anyone in breach of the new restrictions could be given an on the spot fine of up to £100 or prosecuted in court with a fine of up to £1,000.
Councillor Glenn Haffenden, lead councillor for community safety, said: “These updated restrictions mean it will be clear for dog owners to know where they can have their dogs off the lead.
“While we know that most dog owners are responsible, there have been a number of dog-related incidents recently.
“These restrictions will help keep residents and visitors safe. I am glad that the PSPO will mean that anyone who allows a dog to foul and does not pick it up could be fined as I know this is something residents are concerned about.
“Please keep your eyes open for the updated signage across the borough and let us know if you have any feedback on dog behaviour as we will be reviewing the PSPO to see how it is working.”
