Hartlepool Borough Council Intensifies Dog Lead Enforcement in Public Parks....
- HBC Exposed
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
A number of local's claim they've been approached by council enforcement wardens, warning them that they could face a fixed penalty notice if dog's arent kept on a lead......
30th March 2025
Hartlepool Borough Council's reportedly ramped up efforts to enforce stricter regulations for dog walkers in public spaces, particularly in the town’s parks and cemeteries, following what's said to have been "a spate of complaints".
Enforcement officers have reportedly stepped up patrols, around the Victoria Ward of Hartlepool which encompasses areas close to the town centre & Dyke House armed with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), to ensure that dogs are kept on leads. However, the move has sparked backlash from some local residents, following claims some officers are disproportionately targeting dog owners and issuing penalties with little leniency. The controversy came to a head following reports of enforcement officers patrolling Hartlepool’s North Cemetery, a popular spot for dog walkers.
According to locals, officers have been “practically jumping” on individuals who allow their dogs off their leads in the public area, issuing on-the-spot fines to those who fail to comply with the new regulations. HBC Exposed, visited the site this Sunday morning after receiving multiple complaints from residents about the heightened presence of council enforcement officers over the past couple of weeks.
The council’s decision to enforce these measures reportedly stems from growing concerns over dog-related incidents in public spaces. Supporters of the scheme argue that it’s a necessary response to a spate of attacks involving dogs that were “dangerously out of control.” They point to instances where unleashed dogs have posed risks to other animals, children, and even adults enjoying the town’s green spaces. For these advocates, the increased patrols and strict enforcement are said to be a welcome step toward ensuring public safety.
However, critics see it as an overreach. Many dog owners feel they're being unfairly targeted, arguing that their pets are well-behaved and pose no threat to others. The North Cemetery, in particular, has become a flashpoint in the debate, with some residents questioning why a traditionally quiet and open space now feels like a heavily policed zone. “It’s ridiculous,” one local dog walker told HBC Exposed. “I’ve been letting my dog off the lead here for years without issue, and now I’m being treated like a criminal.”
The use of PSPOs, which allow councils to impose fines for behaviours deemed detrimental to the community, has long been a polarising tool. In this case, Hartlepool Borough Council appears to be leaning heavily on these powers to crack down on non-compliant dog owners. Whilst the council has yet to release an official statement addressing the criticism & does not engage with Durham & Teesside Today when approached for a statement, the increased patrols suggest a firm commitment to the policy, with the local Council which in 2023 was declared an authority of no public confidence stating:
Hartlepool Borough Council has under Section 60 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 extended the Dog Control Public Space Protection Order 2020 for a period of 3 years. The Order as extended will expire on 17th October 2026.
Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence that is punishable by prosecution (a fine not exceeding £1,000) or the issue of a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Whether this approach will ultimately curb incidents or simply alienate the community remains to be seen, however, for now, the sight of enforcement officers patrolling the North Cemetery & other public areas seems to be as a stark reminder of the council’s apparent new hardline stance—and a source of frustration for many locals who just want to let their dogs run free.