2023 review of Dog Control PSPOs
We carried out a consultation to review its Dog Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) between 29 August and 3 October 2023. This review is carried out every three years.
A PSPO is a power that local councils can use with partners such as the police to address anti-social behaviour in a locality. Councils can use PSPOs to prohibit specific activities in defined public areas.
The consultation received 561 survey responses.
You said
These Dog PSPOs cover the whole of the borough: public roads, pavements and verges and open spaces. These borough wide PSPO proposals address:
- dog fouling
- dog-on-lead requirements
- capping the maximum number of dogs, a person can walk at one time to four
We proposed the renewal of the existing borough wide dog-on-lead-only direction areas and dog fouling in public roads, pavements, and verges.
- 93% of respondents supported the PSPO
We proposed the renewal of the existing borough wide dog-on-lead-only direction areas and dog fouling in parks and open spaces:
- 87% of respondents supported the PSPO
We proposed to reduce the number of dogs a person can walk at one time from six to four:
- 80% of respondents supported the PSPO
Local PSPOs have been in place in some local open spaces and parks for the past three years. We proposed to renew them:
- 84% of answers indicated support for the renewal of a local PSPO
We proposed to implement new PSPOs in some parks and open spaces.
- 72% of answers indicated support for the implementation of a new local PSPO
We did
Dog PSPO enforcement and signage
The results of the 2023 consultation indicated high level of support for the continued existence of dog related PSPOs within the borough. Dog owners are required to comply with PSPO rules.
The results identified concerns that Dog PSPO rules are being broken by dog owners (and there is a lack of signage of the PSPO rules). Patrols are carried out at different times during the day at known areas with dog PSPO breaches. We are looking to improve signage, especially in dog-on-lead areas within parks.
Dog walking
The majority of respondents supported proposals to reduce the number of dogs people could walk from six to four. As a result, the PSPO has been updated and people cannot walk more than four dogs per person at any one time.
Dog fouling
Dog fouling was raised as an issue. The survey respondents noted that the lack of bins and awareness of how to appropriately deposit dog waste.
We are looking into providing more bins in areas that are commonly used by dog walkers. Our bins have stickers that indicate they can be used to dispose of dog waste.
We regularly run our ‘any bin will do, when you bag dog poo’ campaign on social media. We will continue to raise awareness that:
- dog waste can be deposited into normal litter bins
- dog walkers could receive an £80 fixed penalty notice fine for not disposing of their dog’s waste.
Dog exclusion areas
In response to the survey results, all existing dog exclusion areas will continue to be in force.
New dog exclusion play areas have been implemented at:
- Oak Tree
- Campbell Grove
- Moy Green
- Wick Farm
- Knowles Road
Whilst there is support for a PSPO in Battlebridge Lane Athletics Track, there are no reports of poor dog behaviour and control. As a consequence of this, a PSPO is not considered proportionate at this location. Battlebridge Lane Athletics Track will be monitored during the PSPO period.
Keats Avenue Play Area has been removed and is therefore no longer a dog exclusion area.
Dog-on-lead areas
In response to the survey results, all existing dog-on-lead areas will continue to be in force and the area of Earlswood Lakes where dogs will need to be kept on a lead has been extended to include the grassed area to the west of the lower lake up to the footpath leading from the carpark
Further information
Full details for borough-wide and local dog control PSPOs are on the Dogs Public Space Protection Orders pages.