Dog owners in Bath could soon be fined up to £1,000 if they let their pets off the lead within the city’s cemeteries. The Bath and North East Somerset Council is consulting on a proposed public space protection order (PSPO) following repeated issues with dogs being allowed to roam freely and dog waste left on graves.
The proposed order would require dog owners to keep their pets on a lead no longer than two metres while in any of the council’s six cemeteries: Locksbrook, St. Michael’s, Smallcombe, St. James, Twerton in Bath, and Harptree in East Harptree. Additionally, owners must clear up any dog mess.
Violations of the order could result in a fixed penalty notice of £100, escalating to fines up to £1,000 if the case proceeds to court. Council representatives emphasize that this measure is a “last resort” after ongoing efforts to raise awareness have failed.
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Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Communications and Community, expressed disappointment at the ongoing issues, stating, “It’s disappointing that despite repeated efforts to raise public awareness, some owners continue allowing their dogs to run free in cemetery grounds. The problem lies not with the dogs, but with their owners.” She highlighted concerns about both visitor safety—citing incidents of aggressive behaviour—and risks to dogs around staff operating heavy machinery.
The consultation on the PSPO remains open until February 2, inviting feedback from residents, cemetery visitors, and anyone concerned about preserving the dignity and safety of these spaces.
Public space protection orders, introduced in 2014, empower local authorities to address anti-social behaviour in specific areas. Nearby North Somerset Council recently used a PSPO to restrict individuals from walking more than six dogs at once.