As a responsible dog owner, you must:

• clean up immediately after your dog in all streets and open spaces
• not allow your dog to enter specified areas
• keep your dog on a lead in specified areas
• put and keep your dog on a lead when told to do so by an authorised officer

Rules for dog owners in public places

A Public Spaces Protection Order governs dog control in Bedford Borough. Failure to comply with its requirements can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and prosecution.

Some locations in Bedford Borough have been made: ‘dog exclusion areas’, ‘'dogs on leads' and 'dogs on leads by direction areas’.

With the exception of the above restrictions, you can allow your dog to roam without a lead on all open spaces in Bedford Borough. You must keep your dog under control at all times – if we believe you cannot do this, we will ask you to put it on a lead.

We might do this:

• where the public, particularly children or vulnerable adults, are at threat or feel threatened
• where you dog poses a risk to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists or motorists
• when your dog causes damage to public property, including trees and plants
• where wildlife is, or could be, threatened
• during emergency situations

Exemptions to the order exist for working assistance dogs.

Use the form below to tell us about irresponsible dog ownership including:

• a dog regularly straying into the street or other people’s gardens
• a dog being walked without a lead in an on-lead area or in an exclusion area
• a dog being walked and not under control
• dog fouling not being cleared up where the owner or handler is known or where you were a witness

Please select the "other dog issue option".

Report a dog issue