The row over Council plans to ban dogs from beaches, golf courses and other open spaces in Brighton and Hove has been taken to the RSPCA.

Green Party Euro-MP Caroline Lucas, also a Vice-President of the RSPCA, has written to the organisation’s director asking whether she shares concerns over the proposed ban’s impact on animal welfare.

Dr Lucas said:

“This is a case of proposing a sledgehammer to crack a nut if ever there was one.

“Of course tackling dog mess – which can cause blindness and other serious illness - and intimidation of residents and visitors to the city by uncontrolled dogs should be a priority. But a ban on dogs is essentially a ban on dog owners – and it can only have terrible consequences for human health, animal welfare and civil liberties.

“The Council should instead be promoting responsible dog ownership: coming down hard on the selfish minority of dog owners whose refusal to control or clean up after their pets.”

Banning dogs would threaten the welfare of animals left in cars by visitors unaware of the beach ban until their arrival in the city, boost obesity amongst dog owners who would walk their pets less – and hit the isolated and elderly, those whose companion dogs make life bearable, hardest.

Dr Lucas also urged councillors to reconsider the proposed ban, and called on all concerned residents to sign a petition and demonstrate against the plans by joining a march from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Town Hall tomorrow (Saturday, March 1st) at 11am.