Dorset Council’s Cabinet approved a series of recommendations made in a report following the consultation that gathered views from residents, visitors, businesses and other organisations.

The survey, which ran for 15 weeks, received 8,602 responses. 83 per cent of responses were from local residents, while the remaining responses came from visitors to the area and other organisations. The majority – 64 per cent – were dog owners and 6.6 per cent of the respondents considered they had a disability.

The approved recommendations include harmonising the exclusion period on specific beaches to 1 May to 30 September, and for dogs to be kept on a lead in public formal gardens, council-owned car parks, within five metres of marked sports pitches and other specified locations.

The new restrictions have been implemented to ensure open spaces are kept free from dog fouling and are safe to use by residents and visitors. The use of leads means an owner has more control, can see if the dog fouls and will prevent issues with other people or dogs.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said, “This has been an extensive consultation with a good cross section of people.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to implement the order according to the thoughts of most respondents.

“The harmonised exclusions on selected beaches across the council’s area is a sensible compromise for dog owners and those who don’t have dogs.”

The recommendations will be reviewed in three years.