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Dover District Council is planning a crackdown on dogs in public places.

A series of changes to rules about where hounds are allowed have been proposed and, if they go ahead, will mean dogs are banned from certain areas and will have to be kept on a lead elsewhere.

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) related to dog control, introduced in July 2015, created a number of dog-related offences, such as owners not picking up their pet’s poo or putting a lead on them in restricted areas.

People who break the rule can be given a fixed penalty notice and if they refused to pay can face a fine of up to £1,000.

The order is up for extension and, should suggested changes be approved, dogs will be banned from Gazen Salts in Sandwich and areas around Sandwich, Pegwell Bay and Prince’s Golf Club dunes.

Dogs would also not be allowed in the children’s play area by Whitfield Recreation Ground.

Pets will have to be kept on leads in burial areas in St Augustine’s Churchyard in East Langdon, St Clement’s Churchyard in Sandwich, and parts of Kearsney Abbey in Temple Ewell and the Hamilton Road Cemetery in Deal.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, Dover District Council's cabinet member for environment said: “The PSPO has worked well and it’s important we renew it.

“We have listened to communities and this is about finding a compromise between those who have dogs and those who don’t.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who responded to the initial consultation and we look forward to hearing further comments on suggestions following these responses.”

The consultation period will last from July 16 until August 12 and people can have their say on the council’s website’s Public Spaces Protection Order page.