THE ISLE of Wight Council has launched a survey ahead of a series of proposed orders that could see dogs excluded from some public spaces.

Councillors have today (Wednesday) put their plans out for public consultation in the form of an online survey, quizzing Islanders on their feelings towards having dogs in protected spaces.

In the past, Dog Control Orders and Designated Public Place Orders have been separate pieces of legislation, but these are now to be combined in the new Public Spaces Protection Orders.

The plans won't see any new exclusion zones for dogs placed on beaches after the council dropped earlier plans, and 8,000 people signed a petition against it, but they still aim to amend current orders.

These amendments could include things such as dog exclusion zones within fenced children’s playgrounds, dogs on leads in cemeteries and dogs on leads on some rights of way.

Read More: Council drops plans to ban dogs from Isle of Wight beaches

Cllr John Hobart, cabinet member for environment and heritage, said: “Most of the council’s beaches welcome dogs all year round, and I have no intention of changing that.

“The way information on the proposed orders was circulated last year caused a lot of concern and emotion within the community.

“This was a shame, because most of what was proposed was simply migrating the existing orders into new ones.

“There is not, and never has been, any proposal to change overall dog controls on beaches as a part of these new orders and it is disappointing that some people even now are claiming otherwise.

“Dog owners should be reassured that these proposals are needed to move existing orders to the new legislation, with the only proposed changes relating to cemeteries, fenced children’s play areas and some rights of way.

"The intention of dogs on leads in certain areas is about the safety and the enjoyment of the general public. To ensure areas are safe and clean for everyone to use, we have to be strict about asking dog owners to keep their dogs under control and to pick up after them.

"Most people are very responsible when walking their dogs and are happy to keep to these simple rules and we thank them for helping us to maintain pleasant green spaces for all to enjoy."

The council's survey can be found here.

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.