DOG owners across West Somerset and Exmoor are to be told later this year where they can and cannot exercise their pets.

Somerset Council wants to bring in a county-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO) which it said would see ‘consistent enforcement of dog control measures’.

It has asked every town and parish council in the county to review their public spaces and recommend whether dogs should be banned completely, allowed on a lead, or allowed off-lead.

The review has to be completed by March 20, after which the unitary authority plans to run a six-week public consultation during the summer before deciding which areas of the county will be targeted by the PSPO.

Town councillors in Minehead were told the dog control move was completely separate from an existing PSPO covering West Somerset which was not due to expire until next year.

Council clerk Ben Parker briefed councillors with observations on the PSPO currently covering Minehead, including potential feedback.

Mr Parker said suggestions included extending the dog‐permitted area of Jubilee Beach to the groyne for improved accessibility, ensuring all enclosed play areas were designated as dog‐free, and considering whether sites such as Woodcombe and Bratton Walk still required dogs to be kept on leads.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said currently, different areas of the county had separate dog control PSPOs, each requiring review every three years.

This created administrative burdens, inconsistent enforcement, public confusion, and reduced effectiveness in addressing dog-related anti-social behaviour.

It was proposed to replace the ‘patchwork’ of existing orders with two comprehensive PSPOs, one covering dog fouling and the ability to order dogs to be put on a lead in all areas where the public have free access, and the other identifying dog exclusion zones and a mandatory requirement for keeping them on a leash.