Plans to force dog owners to keep their pets on leads at a popular playing field have been scrapped following a fierce public backlash.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council had proposed including The Stadium fields in Cheriton in its updated restrictions following complaints about dogs being out of control and fouling.
But after almost 90% of respondents to a public consultation objected, the council agreed to drop the area from its latest Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Ahead of a vote by FHDC’s cabinet on Wednesday, one dog owner, Jade Thompson, told Kent Online: “Not everyone has dogs that are out of control.
“I agree that dogs that aren’t under control should be kept on a lead, but those that people actually do take the time to train shouldn’t have to be on a lead.”
Speaking at this week’s meeting, council leader Jim Martin said: “Although views were divided about some areas, there were more comments this year about the risk of aggressive and uncontrolled dogs than when the council introduced the previous PSPO.
“The changes proposed to the former 2022 PSPO came because of complaints received from residents, businesses and visitors.
“It is down to all dog owners and those walking dogs that pets must be under control at all times and that fouling is removed and put in a bin.”
While the Cheriton proposal was withdrawn, other changes were approved as part of the 2025 PSPO, which aims to tackle dog fouling and ensure pets are kept under control in public spaces, particularly near children’s play areas.
These include the lifting of a seasonal ban on dogs being allowed on Greatstone beach and the extension of an area in Lower Leas Coastal Park where dogs must be kept on leads.
The revised PSPO was approved by cabinet members and will come into force on Friday, August 1.
It replaces the current order introduced in 2022 and will be published on the council’s website ahead of that date.
