The Public Spaces Protection Order Control of Dogs 2020 came into force on 20 October 2020 and is in place to enforce responsible dog ownership.
The Public Spaces Protection Order – Control of Dogs 2020 specifies five offences:
- Failing to remove dog poo straight away
- Not carrying something with which to pick up dog poo
- Allowing a dog to enter land from which they are excluded
- Not keeping a dog on a lead where this is required
- Not putting a dog on a lead when ordered to do so by an authorised officer
1. Dog fouling
Dog walkers must always clean up their dog poo. Let us know if you see someone who doesn’t clear up after their dog.
How you can help
We ask for your help in tackling this problem by reporting dog mess and telling us who is not clearing up after their dog. This will help us to take action against irresponsible dog owners and also get the mess cleaned up. If you see someone who doesn't clean up after their dog and wish to report them, the following information would be helpful to us:
- Time and date the offence was committed
- Precise location of the offence
- Description of the person in charge of the dog, including clothing worn
- Identity of the person, if known, and how you know them
- Description of the dog concerned and dog's name, if known
- What you observed at the time of the offence
- Any conversation that may have taken place
All of this information is of great value to the investigating officer and increases the likelihood of a conviction. Tell us who is not cleaning up after their dog by reporting it to us.
2. Carry something to pick up dog poo
When walking your dog, you must carry a plastic bag or something else which you can use to pick up dog poo. Put the wrapped waste in a dog waste bin, a litter bin or your home waste bin.
3. Areas where your dogs are not allowed
You are not allowed to let your dog enter Efford or Weston Mill Cemetery, any children’s play area, bowling green, croquet lawn, skate park, putting green, crazy golf or school grounds that are totally enclosed and have exclusion signs at the entrances.
4. Areas where your dog must be kept on a lead
Dogs must be kept on a lead in the following areas at all times:
Dogs must be kept on a lead on all Council owned/managed sports pitches within the marked pitch/playing area. Details of these pitches can be found on the map.
5. When will an authorised officer ask you to put your dog on a lead?
If your dog needs to be on a lead to prevent a nuisance or if its behaviour is likely to cause alarm, distress or disturbance to any other person, animal or bird and it needs to be on a lead to prevent this, you may be asked to put your dog on a lead.
Penalty
If you do not comply with any of the requirements of the Public Spaces Protection Order - Control of Dogs, you may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice for £100. If you do not pay the fine you may be prosecuted.
Dog attacks
Dog attacks can be very distressing. If a dog has attacked somebody or puts a person in genuine fear for their safety, this should be reported to the police on 101.
What the Police deal with:
- Dogs acting in a dangerous or aggressive manner (giving people reasonable fear of attack)
- Dogs worrying livestock on agricultural land
- Road traffic collisions involving dogs
- Control of guard dogs
- Dogs being used for illegal purposes (i.e. poaching)
- Dogs in cars on hot days