Dog Walking Guide

Our canine friends are very important to us here at Wellington Town Council and we are working with our community to support responsible dog ownership. When taking your dog out for a walk, it can be hard to know where they are and are not allowed to be. To help make walkies a breeze, we have put together this guide to advise you on where dogs are not allowed, where they must be on a lead, and where well-behaved dogs can be let off-lead.

The map below details permissions in public areas in Wellington. The key is as follows:

🟢 Green – Well behaved dogs welcome

 Areas where well behaved dogs can run and play to their hearts content!

🟡 Yellow – Dogs on leads permitted

These locations may be busy or rich with wildlife. We ask that dogs are kept on lead here for everyone’s comfort and protection.

🔴 Red – No dogs allowed

Dogs are not allowed on playing fields or play areas to protect children and sports players from potentially harmful dog waste.

Wellington Dog Walking Guide

Please note that this guide is not exhaustive as it only covers play areas and land that is owned by us or Somerset Council.

In case the above map is difficult to navigate, we have listed these areas below.

🟢 Well behaved dogs welcome

• The Green Corridor (Excluding the Community Farm)
• Wellington Recreation Ground
• Longacre
• Howard Road Green (Excluding play area)
• Roly Poly Green
• Oakfield Park
• Lillebonne Close Open Space
• Burrough Way Open Spaces
• The Paddocks

🟡 Dogs on leads permitted

• Wellington Basins Nature Reserve
• Wellington Park
• Perimeter of Wellington Playing Fields
• Swains Nature Reserve

🔴 Dogs not allowed

• ANY play areas
• Dobree Park Playing Field
• Wellington Playing Fields
• Wellington Community Farm

We ask that dog owners and walkers respect these rules as they have been put in place to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of our open spaces. Please ensure that you use the dog bins provided or take waste home with you if there is no bin or the bin is full.

If you would like more information about why certain practices are in place, tips for responsible dog owners, and fun dog-friendly walking routes in the surrounding area please keep reading!

Why Are Dogs Not Allowed in Play Areas or on Playing Fields?

While dogs are valuable members of many families, their presence in a play area or on a playing field can pose a major health and injury risk. The risks are as follows:

HYGIENE

We can all agree that dog mess is gross, but what many do not realise is the real harm it can cause if people come into close contact with it. Even if dog mess is picked up, a small amount of residue can be left behind and become a hazard. In play areas young children especially are susceptible to suffering from health issues due to coming into contact with dog waste. Their immune systems are not as strong as an adults and they have a much greater tendency to rub their eyes or put their fingers in their mouths when their hands are dirty. On playing fields, even adults are at risk of coming into contact with harmful pathogens in dog waste as their sports might send them skidding across the ground, getting dirt in their eyes and mouth.

Some of the harmful pathogens that have been detected in dog faeces and their effects are as follows:

• Toxocariasis – An infection caused by roundworm parasites that can lead to nausea, dizziness, asthma, blindness, or seizures.
• Salmonella and E Coli – Bacterial infections that affect the gastrointestinal system causing diarrhoea, cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. E Coli in particular can have severe complications.
• Intestinal Parasites – A variety of worms can be found in dog faeces and these can be transmitted to humans either through ingestion or contact to the skin.

SAFETY

According to NHS Digital there are over 7,000 admissions for dog bites per year with under 10s the most likely to be admitted. As much as we would like to trust our pets and children, both can behave unpredictably at times. Young children are often over inquisitive and can push a dogs boundaries without understanding the consequences. Dogs, even the best behaved ones, all have a breaking point and an overstimulating environment such as a busy play area can cause them to snap.

Guide dogs for the visually impaired are excluded from these restrictions and may be brought into play areas.

Dog Walking Etiquette

Top tips for safe and happy walks!

Pick It Up!

When walking a dog you should always carry poo bags with you. No matter how short the walk, no matter where you are going, it is very important that dog waste is picked up and disposed of responsibly. Always use the dogs bins provided. If a dog bin is full or not available a regular bin is acceptable to use if the waste is double bagged. If there are no bins in sight please take waste home with you and dispose of it properly. We don’t want to see full bags hanging on tree branches or still left on the ground!

Not All People Want to Say Hello

Your dog may be a happy-go-lucky type that just wants to say hello to every person that they pass on a walk. Unfortunately for them, some people are afraid of dogs or are simply not a fan and will not appreciate an overly-enthusiastic pooch bounding towards them. It is best to assume that passers by are not interested in saying hello and will ask permission if they want to give your dog a fuss. If you are struggling with your dog being over-friendly, there are plenty of resources online for at-home training. If an issue persists, consider consulting with a professional trainer.

“Don’t Worry, He’s Friendly”

Dreaded words if your dog is reactive. Some dogs are happy to play with anyone but others are protective of their owners or their own space. Always ask permission before allowing your dog to approach another and ensure that they have a solid recall or understanding of “leave it” if they are going to be off lead around other dogs. As with the above, training resources are available online and a professional should be consulted if you find this to be a serious issue.

Watch Out for Wildlife

Some areas on the above map are marked as “Dogs on lead permitted” due to the abundance of wildlife in the area. By keeping dogs on lead, they will be less likely to disturb wildlife such as small mammals or ground nesting birds. In Wellington’s Green Corridor we ask people to be especially vigilant around the leat that runs through Great Oak Field (alongside the paved path). There is a known population of water voles in the area so we would kindly request that dogs not enter the leat in this area.

Follow the Countryside Code

Respect, protect, enjoy. When walking in the countryside around Wellington or beyond, make sure you are following the Countryside Code, a list of rules to abide by when enjoying rural areas. Leave all gates and property as you find it and respect the space. Ensure that your dog sticks to designated pathways, especially in fields with crops as they can cause damage. Put your dog on a lead around livestock for their safety and that of your dog. To learn more about the Countryside Code, please click here.