Dogs must be kept on leads in town park

Dogs will have to be kept on leads in a Lincolnshire park after a ban was reconfirmed.

The rule was originally introduced at The Spinney in Market Deeping in October 2020.

It was brought in after complaints that dogs were running around in a wooded area used to scatter human ashes next to the town's cemetery.

Animals will now have to be kept on 3ft (1m) leads at all times.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a meeting of South Kesteven District Council’s (SKDC) cabinet heard the original Public Spaces Protection Order was brought in after an incident involving a recently widowed woman visiting the area before her husband’s ashes were scattered.

During her visit, she witnessed dogs running freely among the wooded planting area, disturbing the earth where ashes had been scattered, and defecating in the vicinity, the meeting heard.

Ayeisha Kirkham, head of service, public protection at SKDC, said the rule was intended as a mark of respect for those who have died and had their ashes scattered there, as well as for their loved ones, following reports of dogs previously disturbing ashes.

A discussion took place about the length of leads with one councillor proposing the order should simply state that leads be kept at a “safe, short length,” particularly for cases where a tall individual may be walking a small dog.

However, councillor Phillip Knowles argued this wording was subjective and could lead to legal challenges.

“We should define it as best we can rather than in safe terms,” he said.

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