Councillors will determine whether or not dogs should be kept on a lead in a place they are currently allowed to run free.

A Public Spaces Protection Order in already in place to keep dogs on a lead around the cafe at The Aerodrome, but now Three Rivers Council is looking at whether to extend it to cover pathways around The Grove, where owners are allowed to let their dogs run free.

The authority drew up the plans to crackdown on loose animals in the area earlier this year, after a spate of four incidents when people where injured by dogs.

Tonight, a meeting of the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee will consider whether to press ahead.

But despite reports of intimidating barking, dogs jumping up or running up to small children and owners who “seem not in control of dogs”, the Council’s public consultation suggests most people are against the plans.

Of the 135 people who responded to the council’s survey, 57 per cent were against dogs being kept on a lead in the area and 41 per cent in favour.

Even amongst those who use the footpaths without dogs, 50 per cent said they were against the plan.

According to the report to the committee the “issues” that people have experienced with dogs and their owners would justify the proposal and “show dog owners are not acting responsibly in this area”.

However officers will recommend that the proposal is withdrawn by councillors at the meeting.

In their report they point to the difficulty of enforcing the variation to the existing PSPO.

They say that originally The Grove had indicated that they would support the enforcement. And without their support, they say, it could not be implemented effectively.

The report states:  “Originally, The Grove were keen to work with the Police and Local Authority as they have many high profile guests staying who have full use of the facilities including the grounds.

“Disappointingly, they now wish to have the restriction applied but are unwilling for their staff to be trained and authorised to enforce it by issuing Fixed Penalty Notices. There have also been no further offers from them to assist with funding for the additional signage that would be required.”

The report says the Council, the Police nor Sarratt Parish Council could provide a full-time presence in the area to police it.

It says  that “officers feel that without the support of The Grove it would be ineffective to go ahead with the proposal.”

PSPOs are intended to deal with a particular nuisance in a specific area . And they are intended to ensure the law abiding majority can use public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour.

For the plan to be implemented a variation would need to be made to the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), so that it included the public rights of way that run through the land owned by The Grove.