Caerphilly bans dogs from sports pitches

Caerphilly County Borough Council, in south Wales, has banned dogs from sports pitches and enclosed children’s play and multi-use games areas to tackle responsible dog ownership and reduce complaints about dog issues.

Following public consultation, Caerphilly County Borough Council approved a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in November 2021, which came into force on 1 March 2022.

The new powers enhance the council’s ability to deal with irresponsible dog owners by making it an offence to fail to put a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer, allowing a dog onto marked sports playing pitches and enclosed memorial gardens.

It is also an offence not to have the means to pick up dog’s faeces when asked to do so – this would mean that if a dog walker could not produce, when requested by an authorised officer, a poop bag or similar they would risk being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100 or prosecuted.

The PSPO, which replaces current dog fouling legislation and Dog Control Orders, will remain in place for three years after which it can be reviewed.