Douglas City Council has approved a series of trial changes to the City’s Dog Control Byelaws as part of an ongoing review ahead of the current byelaws expiring in March 2028.
The trials will allow the Council to gather feedback from residents, dog owners and other users of public spaces before drafting a new set of byelaws for the City.
Under the approved arrangements, dogs will be permitted on the whole of Douglas Beach throughout the year and at all times of day, provided owners clean up after their dogs and remain in control of their dogs at all times.
In a further relaxation of the existing restrictions, Glen Falcon Park will be designated as a dog-friendly park, with dogs permitted to exercise off-lead provided they remain under control and again, that owners clean up after their dogs.
The Council hopes that these trials reflect a balanced approach that recognises the importance of outdoor spaces for dog owners while ensuring that parks and public areas can continue to be enjoyed by everyone, so please:
- Pickup after your dog
- Keep your dog under control
The Executive Committee endorsed recommendations that dogs should continue to be prohibited from Derby Square, Hilary Park, Hutchinson Square, Olympia, Woodbourne Square and the former lower pitch area within Noble’s Park during the trial period. These areas, along with all parks and garden squares in Douglas will also be reviewed to see what can be accommodated for residents in those areas.
The current byelaws have been in place since 2018 and are due to expire in 2028. These trials provide an opportunity to test alternative approaches and better understand public opinion before new byelaws are drafted. We are particularly keen to hear from residents, either via your local Councillor or the Councils’ ReportIT feature on the website during the trial period so that future byelaws are informed by real experiences and community feedback.
