Shropshire Council set to approve new dog controls
Shropshire Council’s cabinet is to be asked to introduce a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to help tackle dog fouling and nuisance.
The move follows an eight-week public consultation into the proposals held late last year, which received 561 responses of which 63% were in support of the proposals, and that has led to small number of amendments being made to the original proposals.
The cabinet will be asked to consider the outcome of the consultation on 17 April and to approve the introduction of a PSPO from 1 June 2024.
The PSPO would enable Shropshire Council and the police to issue fixed penalty notices of £100 – or £50 if paid within 10 days – to those in control of a dog that allow the animal to foul on pavements and public spaces without clearing up.
Under the PSPO, dogs would also be excluded from fenced play and sports areas and would be required to wear a lead on the public highway. Officers would also have the power to ask for a dog to be put on a lead in public areas where they aren’t under the control of their owner or are acting aggressively.
The council said the PSPO would be implemented with a public education and information exercise, adequate bin provision and signage for enclosed exclusion zones so that any enforcement action taken is both ‘reasonable and proportionate’.
Dan Morris, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said: “Following an increasing number of complaints to the council about dog fouling, and concerns that we are not taking sufficient enforcement action it was agreed that the council’s legislative powers be reviewed, and measures implemented to enable enforcement for the control of dogs and for addressing dog fouling. A PSPO was seen to be the best way to do this, but it was important to seek people’s views before anything was agreed or implemented.”
He added: “We’ve agreed that it’s unfair to penalise individuals for the act of dog fouling, rather the act of not collecting and disposal of waste – or to fine those who are unable to comply with the proposals for reasons of disability. But we have agreed that it’s reasonable to exclude, dogs from fenced, enclosed and equipped play areas for health reasons, and that £100 charge is reasonable and sufficient.
“But as enforcement on its own will be insufficient to secure a change in behaviour and attitudes, we’re planning to run a proactive public information campaign at the same time.”
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