We Believe that:
- Access to land should be fair
- Access to off lead areas in parks should be a given and not restricted to dog exercise areas
- Access to all public transport should be a given
- Access to shops, hotels, public toilets, cafes, public houses and all similar facilities should not be refused unreasonably, subject to dogs not being allowed in food preparation areas.
- Access to all areas is dependent on those responsible for dogs acting responsibly and taking heed of restrictions and regulations that may need to be imposed by landowners.
The UK, like many other similar countries, is becoming increasingly risk-averse. Actual risks are exaggerated and perceived risks go hand in hand with a fear of legislative recriminations. One of the effects of this is the growth of restrictions on where dogs can accompany their owners and where they can exercise freely, off lead and on.
Access can be restricted temporarily to protect livestock but also limited by Public Spaces Protection Orders.
Access to Land – Towns
The Animal Welfare Act became law in the UK 2006 [1]. One of the main tenets requires owners to enable their pet to exhibit normal behaviour patterns. As far as dogs are concerned, this undoubtedly includes the need to exercise off lead. However, in many areas it is becoming increasingly difficult…. Read more
Access to Land – Countryside and Coast
Access to the countryside has to be seen in the context of the land, not as a playground for urban dwellers, but as somewhere that provides many people with their livelihood and town and country dweller alike with food… Read more
See Campaigns details for campaigns regarding access to land.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/animal-welfarehttps://www.gov.uk/animal-welfare
