Dogs will be prohibited from all enclosed areas designated for children and must be kept on a leash while on pathways, following the adoption of new regulations by a council in east London under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

This decision by Tower Hamlets council comes in the wake of several dog-related incidents reported since 2023, as noted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Shafi Ahmed acknowledged that most dog owners are responsible and that their pets do not pose a threat. However, he remarked that “a series of prominent incidents” have led residents to voice concerns regarding aggressive dogs, especially in relation to the safety of young children.

Tower Hamlets ranks eighth among the 32 London boroughs for crime reports related to dog attacks. It will align itself with neighboring boroughs Newham and Hackney, which have implemented dog control PSPOs for several years.

Internal police records reveal that from April to October 2024, there were 92 reported instances of dog attacks within the borough.

Under the new regulations, dogs will still be permitted to roam off-leash in all parks and green spaces throughout the borough, but several measures will be enforced starting this autumn:

These new regulations will exempt individuals who are blind, deaf, or have a physical or mental disability and utilize dogs for assistance, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.