Dog walkers warned as seasonal ban returns to Formby playing pitches from Tuesday 1st September

Dog owners across Formby are being reminded that an important seasonal restriction comes back into force from Tuesday 1 September, meaning dogs must not be taken onto marked football and rugby pitches.

Under Sefton Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order for Dog Control, dogs are prohibited from marked football and rugby pitches between 1 September and 31 May inclusive.

The restriction applies whether a dog is on or off its lead, so putting a dog on a lead does not allow owners to walk across a marked pitch.

In Formby, the restrictions apply to marked pitches at Duke Street Park, Smithy Green and Deansgate Lane.

The rules are designed to protect playing surfaces while they are being regularly used for organised sport throughout the football and rugby season.

The restriction does not mean that dogs are banned from the parks themselves. Dog walkers can continue to enjoy surrounding areas where dogs are permitted, but they must keep their dogs away from marked pitches during the restricted period and follow any signage in place.

Sefton Council’s Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order includes a number of rules covering dog ownership and walking across the borough.

Dog owners must remove dog mess immediately and one person is permitted to walk a maximum of six dogs at any one time.

Dogs are not permitted in fenced children’s playgrounds or fenced sports areas, while there are also locations where dogs must be kept on a lead.

There are separate restrictions covering cricket pitches, where dogs must not enter marked pitches between 1 April and 30 September.

Owners could face fines

Anyone who fails to comply with the Public Spaces Protection Order without a reasonable excuse could face enforcement action.

Breaching the order can result in a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days.

If the Fixed Penalty Notice is not paid and the matter proceeds to court, offenders can face a fine of up to £1,000.

Authorised officers can also instruct owners to put their dog on a lead where required, and refusing to comply can lead to enforcement action.

The seasonal restrictions apply at locations across Sefton, including playing fields in Southport, Birkdale, Formby, Netherton and Thornton.

In Formby, anyone who regularly walks their dog around Duke Street Park, Smithy Green or Deansgate Lane should be particularly aware of the change from Tuesday.

The restrictions are part of measures intended to allow everyone to enjoy Sefton’s parks and open spaces while protecting sports facilities and reducing problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership.

With the restriction returning from Tuesday 1 September, Formby dog walkers are being encouraged to take extra care when choosing their usual walking routes and remember that even a dog kept on a lead must not be taken onto a marked football or rugby pitch.

The restriction will remain in place until 31 May next year.