We want you and your dog to enjoy spending time in the incredible nature in Epsom & Ewell. We also want to protect precious wildlife habitats and farm animals, as well as ensure everyone can enjoy the countryside, whether or not they have a dog.

Please follow our guidance when you’re out with your dog or dogs in Epsom & Ewell:

Keep them close

• If your dog doesn’t come back to you when called, please keep them on a lead.
• Using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
• Remember to close gates behind you and in the unlikely event of being chased by cattle, ponies or other animals, release your dog to get to safety separately.
• To help keep everybody safe, please only bring the maximum number of dogs you can safely control; we advise no more than six.
• Ponds are an important habitat and are home to plants and wildlife which are easily disturbed or destroyed by dogs entering the pond.

Pick up the poo

• Please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.

Stay on the ball

• Remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Dog fouling

Dog poo can carry and transmit disease to children, particularly toxocariasis which can cause blindness.

Failure to clean up after your dog is an offence and you may face a fixed penalty fine of £80. However, if the fine is unpaid, the owner may be prosecuted and be liable for a fine of up to £1,000.

Help protect the wildlife in our ponds

Ponds are hugely important to our borough’s biodiversity. Birds, amphibians including newts and invertebrates like dragonflies and beetles’ nest in ponds. Help us protect these precious species by keeping your dogs out of ponds and sticking to the paths where possible.

• Any disturbance prevents wildlife from nesting and breeding.
• Erosion of the banks destroy the plant life the animals depend on.
• Flea and tick treatments can also be toxic to invertebrates.

Dangerous dogs

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control. You can report dog attacks on other animals and animal welfare to us. Dog attacks on people should be reported to the Police.

If you have concerns about the welfare of an animal, contact us: contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Stray dogs

To report an injured stray or abandoned animal please contact your local veterinary surgery, or contact the RSPCA by calling 0300 12234 999 or via the RSPCA website. 

If you find a stray dog that isn’t sick or injured, please call 03444 828320 (this phone line is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day) to arrange a time for us to collect the dog. Our stray dog service is provided by an outside company SDK Environmental Limited.  We can collect stray dogs that are confined and under your direct control and care. 

For more information on stray or lost dogs, including how to reclaim a dog: take a look at this page about lost and stray dogs.

Useful links