Kelpie's Law
Kelpie's Law
Because dog-friendly should mean dog-safe.
Every day, thousands of dogs enjoy the freedom of our public parks and green spaces. But how much thought is given to the risks beyond their boundaries?
Kelpie's Law is a campaign calling for national safety standards to help identify and address preventable hazards, particularly where parks border busy roads and other serious dangers.
Responsible dog ownership matters. So does the safety of the places we visit.
Our proposed safety standards
01
Safer Boundaries & Entrances
Secure fencing, safer gates and appropriate safeguards where parks border busy roads or other serious hazards.
02
Risk Assessments & Prevention
Identifying potential dangers and taking proportionate action to reduce the risk of preventable incidents.
03
Inspections & Accountability
Regular safety inspections, timely repairs and clear responsibilities for maintaining safer public spaces.
The little dog behind the campaign.
On 9 October 2026, my beautiful cockapoo, Kelpie, lost her life after becoming frightened and escaping from a public park onto a busy road. She was just 15 months old.
The park was somewhere we visited almost every day. Somewhere I believed she was safe.
Kelpie's Law was born from that loss, with the hope that her story can help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
Woodthorpe Grange Park
Investigating safety concerns, previous incidents and potential hazards at the Nottingham park where Kelpie lost her life.
Research & Evidence
Public Experiences
Gathering evidence from dog walkers across England to understand how often safety concerns and incidents occur in public parks.
Examining existing legal responsibilities and identifying opportunities for clearer, more consistent national safety standards.
Legislation & Policy
