Recommendations to promote responsible dog ownership across the borough were approved at a Cabinet meeting last night (April 30), seeking to "strike a fair balance" to ensure that everyone can enjoy the borough’s outdoor spaces safely and comfortably.
The recommendations for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) are based on an extensive consultation with residents, in which a majority of those who participated approved of the new rules around dog fouling, dogs on leads on streets and pathways, and dogs being excluded from all gated children’s areas.
PSPOs were introduced over a decade ago, in 2014, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, and around twenty London local authorities, including our neighbours Hackney and Newham, have had dog control PSPOs in place for many years.
The council took the decision to consult on the introduction of a PSPO in Tower Hamlets in 2024 in response to enquiries regarding the council’s policy on dangerous dogs in the borough and following several high-profile incidents involving dogs in public spaces in London.
There were 2,267 responses to the consultation from local residents and the wider community, including animal welfare organisations, such as the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, The Kennel Club, and the East London Dog Community.
Dogs will still be allowed to play off-lead freely in all parks and green spaces in the borough. The following measures will be introduced this autumn:
- Dog fouling prohibition: owners must clean up after their dogs in public spaces.
- Dog on lead by direction: while dogs will still be allowed to play off-lead freely, all dog walkers must - if asked by an authorised officer (for example, a Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officer) - put and keep the dog on a lead for a period of time. This is to be used in instances such as the walker being unable to control the dog.
- Dogs will be excluded from gated children’s play areas and sport areas.
- Dogs will be required to be on leads near roads, pavements and communal areas on estates.
- Dog walkers will be allowed to walk a maximum of four dogs at one time, unless they have a professional dog walker license issued by the council.
Neglecting to follow any of these rules may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
All dogs trained to assist a person with a disability will be exempt from these restrictions, in accordance with the definition of assistance dogs under the Equality Act 2010.
Bernadette Moriarty from East London Dog Community said:
“We appreciated Tower Hamlets Council taking the time to meet with the East London Dog Community to hear our concerns directly. While the initial proposals felt overly restrictive and lacking in detail, we’re pleased that these proposals reflect a more balanced approach.
"We welcome continued off lead access to parks for dogs, and we support the council’s focus on tighter enforcement of dog fouling and welcome the continued protection of gated children’s play areas with no new dog exclusion zones.
"This proposal strikes a fair compromise that prioritises public safety for all while ensuring families with dogs can still enjoy ungated children's play areas together in a respectful and responsible way, and that responsible dog owners and their dogs are not unfairly punished.
"We're cautiously optimistic about the "on lead by direction" and professional dog walker license, but need to see these implemented and enforced in reasonable and proportionate ways.”
Cllr Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency, said:
"We know the majority of dog-owners in the borough are responsible and their dogs are beloved family members and pose no risk of harm. This consultation with the community was held following several high-profile incidents, and a majority of those who responded expressed support for new measures which would bring us in line with the many other London councils who have had such rules in place for years.
"These recommendations seek to strike a fair balance and we hope they will reassure residents who have expressed concern about dangerous dogs, particularly about risks to young children, while ensuring responsible dog owners in our community can fully enjoy our open spaces and allow their dogs to play off-lead freely.
“We will work together with our communities of dog owners in Tower Hamlets over the next few months to ensure the successful implementation of the new measures. Our aim is to ensure everyone can enjoy our borough's beautiful parks and green spaces safely and comfortably."
The council will focus primarily on education and promoting awareness of the new rules over the next few months, as well as erecting clear signage in any exclusion areas.
Posted on Thursday 1st May 2025