Concerns raised over dogs off leads on Budleigh seafront

The beach at Budleigh Salterton. Ref exb 29-16TI 4646. Picture: Terry Ife Archant

Civic leaders have called for a crackdown on ‘irresponsible’ dog walkers allowing their pets to roam off the lead on a section of Budleigh Salterton’s seafront.

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At a meeting of the town council this week, it was revealed that a member of the public had written to them complaining that they had been knocked down by a free-roaming dog off the lead near the Longboat Café.

A letter to the town council also called for increased signage advertising the ban to be introduced on the seafront.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) public space protection order (PSPO) bans dogs from being off the lead on the seafront footpath from South Parade to the end of the beach past Lime Kiln Car Park.

Dogs are also banned from the beach itself from May to September.

EDDC say there will officers visiting the area to enforce the PSPO and give advice.

Speaking at the town council meeting on Monday, mayor Tom Wright said the current signage had recently been repainted and increased civil enforcement presence ha also been requested.

He added: “It’s not visitors who ignore the signs. There are a small group of locals who think that the signs don’t apply to them. I have spoken to civil enforcement at EDDC and they will be looking at sending an officer along to serve tickets and to point out to people that there is a public space protection order that stipulates that dogs must be on leads.

“There are just irresponsible dog owners unfortunately.”

A spokesperson for EDDC said: “We are aware that some people are not aware of the controls despite information on the website and the existing signage which has been in place for some years.

“We receive very few complaints that dog owners are not complying with these controls or the beach bans.

“However, as a result of a recent request, officers from both Environmental Health and Streetscene are visiting the area to give advice and, where appropriate, carry out enforcement duties.”

The spokesperson added: “Additional signage will be put up where necessary, together with stencilling on the footway so that the extent of the controls are clear.”