Stanpit Marsh and dogs – local views sought

Christchurch residents are to get a chance to give their views on a proposed Dog Control Order for Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve in a public consultation starting on 18 January.

The Order would mean that dogs would have to be kept on a lead when being walked in the nature reserve.

The current by-laws for the nature reserve were written in the 1970s. Since then the Marsh has become much busier and wildlife has come under pressure from a number of factors including the impact that dogs running off a lead are having on resident and migratory birds.

The current by-law concerning dogs on the Marsh states that dogs should be kept ‘under proper control’, but Countryside staff have found this ambiguous and difficult to enforce.

Cllr Sally Derham Wilkes, chairman of Christchurch Council’s Community Services Committee, said: “We want to hear what users of the nature reserve have to say about these proposals. It’s important to state that dog walkers and dogs will still be welcome on the reserve and dogs will also still be able to run freely off a lead on the 17-acre recreation ground which is immediately adjacent to the Marsh. However, on the more sensitive area of the nature reserve the order would require dogs to be kept on a lead no longer than three metres in length.”

The public consultation lasts until 1 March and copies of the consultation can be viewed at libraries, the Civic Offices, Stanpit Marsh Information Centre and the Information Centre in the High Street. The consultation document is also available on www.dorsetforyou.com.

All responses will be taken into account by the Council’s Community Services Committee when deciding whether to implement the Dog Control Order.