Wolverhampton Council consults on new dog controls

Wolverhampton Council is consulting on proposed changes to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which is to be renewed on 1 October.

The changes would see dogs barred from all water features and will have to be kept on leads at cemeteries.

Dog walkers caught allowing animals into water features or facilities at council parks and open spaces, town centres, nature reserves and country parks – including formal ornamental fountains, drinking fountains and ponds, features designated for children’s play such as pools and splash pads, as well as natural ponds designated as habitats for wildlife – will be guilty of an offence and could be fined under the new rules.

Spots that would be covered by the rules include open water sites at Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve, Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, West Park, Fowlers Park, Hickman Park, Bantock Park and Goodyear Community Park.

Other locations that would be covered by the PSPO include Rocket Pool, Ladymoor, Hawkswell Drive, Stowheath Lane, Grapes Pool, Tettenhall Pool, Queen Square fountain and East Park splash pad, which will be installed later this year. St Peter’s Fountain, Old Hall Street and Wednesfield fountain are not operational at present.

It will also become an offence to be in charge of a dog on public land without means of collection and disposing of poo, it will be a requirement for a person to give their name and address to an authorised officer when requested to do so, and dogs will have to be on a lead at public cemeteries.

An online public consultation has been launched on Wolverhampton Council’s website. The consultation closes on 21 April.