The 3 Cambridge areas where dog walkers could be fined if they break new rule

There are other areas in the city where the rules are already in place

Dog walkers could face a fine for letting their dog off the lead in three new areas following the introduction of new rules. Cambridge City Council approved the extension of a public spaces protection order (PSPO) restricting where dogs can be allowed to roam at Wednesday’s (October 23) cabinet meeting.

New restrictions have also been put in place for the local nature reserves at Byron’s Pool, Church End and Fulbourn Road. Dogs must now be kept on leads in these areas between March 1 and July 31 to protect wildlife and breeding birds.

Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, cabinet member for communities, said there were 813 responses to the consultation and residents were “very supportive” of restrictions continuing. The Labour councillor added that complaints about dogs had dropped from 61 in 2021/22 to just 28 in 2025/26.

A report said the policy seeks a balance between “protecting public health and amenity” and “allowing appropriate opportunities for dog exercise and recreation”.

It said council officers will also look into introducing a seasonal dogs-on-leads restriction at the local nature reserve in Hobson’s Park. Current restrictions require dogs to be kept on leads at all times in Newmarket Road Cemetery, Histon Road Cemetery, the area by the pond/stream at Cherry Hinton Hall, the green area outside Hanover and Princess Courts, the park at Tenby Close and the Nightingale Community Garden.

People are also not allowed to walk more than four dogs at a time at the local nature reserve at Byron’s Pool, the Coldham’s Common sports pitches or Hobson’s Park.

The Royal Kennel Club said they welcomed “on lead on direction” orders but asked that officers enforcing it are “familiar with dog behaviour”. They said: “There exists the possibility that a dog, through no fault of its own, could be considered a ‘nuisance’ or ‘annoyance’ to someone who simply does not like dogs.”

The cabinet approved the new rules and extended the existing PSPO for another three years.