Hounded out: Councils 'are waging war on dogs'

Councils are waging a "war on dogs" by banning them from thousands of parks and open spaces, it has been claimed.

Dogs have been barred from at least 2,205 public places in England and Wales since the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in 2014, according to estimates by The Kennel Club.

The orders, which aim to stop threatening or violent behaviour, allow councils to ban various activities in certain areas.

The Kennel Club says that, in the last two years, the orders have also been used to prevent dogs from running or playing off a lead in 1,100 public places.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said some councils have imposed PSPOs to wage a "war on dogs and their owners".

She told Sky News: "We really need councils to take the whole subject of consulting seriously and not to penalise responsible dog owners alongside the irresponsible."

Critics have labelled PSPOs a "busybodies' charter".

In one case an order was used by Salford City Council to criminalise the use of "foul and abusive language".

Guide dog user Paul Jarman is one of those who have been fined for failing to comply with a PSPO.

He told Sky News: "Unless there is some kind of limitation placed on local authorities as to how they can use these Public Space Protection Orders, we are going to turn the whole business of guide dog owning into a postcode lottery."

The RSPCA warned local authorities to use the orders "cautiously".

A spokesman said: "Where dogs are excluded or open spaces are restricted, it is essential that local authorities make sure other open spaces are available close by.

"We hope local authorities issue PSPOs cautiously and do not use them as a blanket power that punishes the responsible majority in an effort to tackle problems created by an irresponsible few."