Can dogs be off leash in parks UK?

We welcome responsible dog owners and their pets into our parks and open spaces. However, in some areas we ask you to keep your dog on a lead. We also ask you not to take dogs into the fenced children's play areas or onto bowling greens, cricket wickets and other sports pitches. Keep your dog under proper control – remember, not everyone likes your dog as much as you do. The ranger service will enforce relevant legislation to cover irresponsible dog ownership, dog fouling, dangerous dogs and stray dogs.

Dogs in Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) If you're responsible for a dog, you need to: know that dogs can be let off the lead in parks except in areas where there is specific signage in place. Dogs need to be kept under close control. Dogs need to be kept on leads in designated areas. You need to put dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer such as a dog warden and police officer. In Leeds this includes all roads, pavements and footpaths (included gated alleyways) next to carriageways. Also where signage is in place, in cemeteries, crematoria, specialist gardens, and some council owned golf courses. You can find more information on rules in the full 2025 Dogs in Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

It's now illegal to let your dog off the lead on ‘open access land’ (moorland, forests, lakes, or beaches) in England and Wales until August 1, experts say, as people who fail to keep dogs on a lead between 1 March and 31 July risk a maximum £1,000 fine. This rule is in place to protect ground-nesting birds and livestock and keep dogs safe. Although letting our dogs bound through meadows for much-needed exercise is tempting, their presence can scare and harm wildlife. It is illegal to let your dog off the lead on ‘open access land’ (moorland, forests, lakes, or beaches) between March and July, in order to protect ground-nesting birds. Keeping your dog on a lead in high-grass areas can also prevent injuries from threatened wildlife, such as grass snakes. As dog owners, we’re legally responsible for everything our dog does, so it’s important to be in control. If your dog damages someone’s property or injures an animal, it can not only cause a lot of heartache but also put dog owners at risk of prosecution for any damages.

What makes them really happy is being allowed to roam free off their lead in the outdoors, whilst this is a great thing to allow your dog to do, having dogs off the lead is not appropriate for every location. There are a number of places that do require leads, these places are children’s play areas, public parks, roads, beaches, designated pedestrian zones and land where livestock is present. As a dog owner, it is important to know your local authority’s Public Spaces Protection Orders, these are specific rules to your local authority, which detail the restrictions you must follow on where your dog must be on a lead. Authorities have the power to issue fines or fixed penalty notices for those who don’t comply. It is always good to keep your dog safe on a lead when unsure, but when you are in a more open environment, perhaps on a hike, it can be ok to let your dog loose to allow them to explore to their heart’s content. If you are going to let your dog off its lead, be confident that your dog will return on command. There are also signs in the country that let you know if your dog is allowed or not, some areas may ban dogs all together. You may be unaware that you are on farmers’ lands when on the walk, so try to assess the environment, look out for any signs that you are on farmland before releasing your dog. Letting your dog have some quality time off their lead is important for their happiness and health, but as an owner it is your responsibility to keep your dog and others safe when outdoors. Be sure to be aware of your surroundings, keep your animal under control, and if required, keep your animal on its lead. There are plenty of open areas where they can off the lead and safe, just be sure to use common sense when needed to keep everyone safe and happy.

It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as: in a public place. You can report a dog that’s out of control. The law applies to all dogs. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it: injures someone makes someone worried that it might injure them. A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply: it attacks someone’s animal the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

Dogs are welcome in all of Birmingham’s parks and open spaces. Keep your dog under control. If your dog is causing a nuisance or a threat to other park users, including dogs or any wildlife on site, you will be asked to put your dog on a lead. Keep your dog in sight at all times. Dogs by law are not permitted in clearly demarcated children’s play areas. Pay attention to any posted signs. No more than four dogs may be walked by any one person. Any dog owner found not complying with the above may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. Failure to comply with this request is an offence.