Some of the public spaces you could be fined if you don’t have a poo bag while walking your dog

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Flintshire County Council has launched a consultation with residents on new proposals which will see stricter controls on dogs in public spaces.

The council wants to implement Dog Control Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) – they will give the council greater powers to deal with irresponsible owners who fail to pick up their dogs waste for example.

Amongst the proposals, authorised council officers could be given the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to dog walkers who appear to have no “means of collecting dog waste.”

PSPOs are one of a number of new powers introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

[miptheme_quote author=”Flintshire County Council” style=”boxquote text-left”]The order will bring a number of benefits to help achieve cleaner and tidier communities in Flintshire leading to a more pleasant environment, ensure cleaner sporting and play areas for children and adults and reduce the likelihood of serious health problems associated with dog faeces.

The order will actively pursue the promotion of responsible dog ownership through reasonable and proportionate compliance.[/miptheme_quote]

Protection orders could also be used to completely ban dogs from certain open spaces and enforce or require owners to keep dogs on leads, failure to comply with a protection order will result in a Fixed Penalty Notice.

PSPOs allow for broad powers to criminalise behaviour within a geographically defined area, making predefined activities within a mapped area prosecutable.

The council has launched an interactive map which shows all the public spaces where orders will be implemented, Click Here: Interactive PSPO Map  

The prohibitions proposed would require dog owners to:

• remove dog waste immediately from the ground at all public locations.
• put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. This only applies to any public land where a dog is considered to be out of control or causing alarm and distress.
• keep dogs on leads within cemeteries.
• have a means on their person to collect dog waste from the ground if asked by an authorised officer.

Dogs would also be excluded from entering:

• enclosed children’s play areas
• the playing areas of marked sports pitches
• the playing area of specific sporting or recreational facilities
• school grounds.

Any breaches would result in the issuing of a fixed penalty notice to the person responsible for the dog.

Alyn and Deeside AM (and dog owner) Carl Sargeant said:

This is an issue which a lot of people will have a strong opinion on, one way or another,

It might be welcomed by many while some dog owners might fear it impinges too much on their freedom.

What’s really important is that anyone who has an interest in this hears about it and makes sure they get their response in by June 29, just over a fortnight from now.

Residents can respond online where a copy of the draft order, frequently asked questions, and a map of potential sites where the prohibitions would be enforced can be seen and an online survey filled in.

The consultation will open on 1 June and close on 29 June 2017:

Explanatory Notes – PSPO (PDF new window)

DRAFT Public Spaces Protection Order – Dog Control and Fouling 2017 (PDF new window)

Map of Potential Sites (new window)

Survey (new window)

Documents may be viewed at County Hall, Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 6ND. You can also go to your local library or Connects office where you can get help accessing the documents online.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]