A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dogs is now in place, requiring dogs to be on leads on roads and pavements across the borough, with dogs excluded from certain areas.
The latest dog control order, which commences on 1 September 2023, is in place for the next 3 years and whilst similar, replaces the previous order, in line with legislative guidance.
These Dog Controls are part of the council’s responsible dog ownership campaign, which tackle issues such as dog fouling, placing limits on the number of dogs a single person can walk at any one time, and also requires dogs to be on leads on streets across the borough, with dogs also excluded from some areas, such as waterbodies and children’s play areas.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement says, “Dog fouling and keeping dogs under control remains a key public concern which our latest Dog Control Order seeks to tackle. Thank you to the many residents, dog owners and non-dog owners alike who responded to our consultation. We will seek to engage with dog walkers in the coming months to make sure the rules are understood and to build on our responsible dog ownership campaign.”
The PSPO Dog Control Legal Order consists of six articles:
Article 1: Dog fouling
If within the restricted area, a dog defecates in any public place at any time, the person in charge of the dog at the time must remove the faeces immediately.
Article 2: Dogs on leads by direction
A person in charge of a dog, at any time, within the restricted area must comply with a direction given to them by an authorised person to put and keep the dog on a lead for such period and/or in such circumstances as directed by that person.
Article 3: Dog exclusion areas
A person in charge of a dog must not, at any time, take that dog onto, or permit a dog to enter or to remain on, any public place detailed in schedule 2.
- This only pertains to the specified area within the location stated.
Article 4: Dogs on lead areas
A person in charge of a dog in any public place detailed in schedule 3 must keep that dog on a lead.
- This only pertains to the specified area within the location stated.
Article 5: Dog handlers – Maximum 4 dogs
A person in charge of more than three dog shall be guilty of an offence if at any time, they take more than three dogs in any public place detailed in schedule 1, unless they have a licence issued by the council permitting them to be in charge of no more than four dogs.
Article 6 – Dogs to be kept under proper control – Dogs on a lead
A person in charge of a dog in the restricted area shall be guilty of an offence if their dog is not kept under proper control.
Clear signage and detailed communications have been circulated to all relevant parks and green spaces in the borough that are affected by the new Dog Control Order, with full notification being sent to all concerned parties.
The final Public Space Protection Order followed scrutiny at both the Public Protection and Enforcement PDS Committee and the Environment PDS Committee, with 3,141 responding to the consultation.
A copy of the PSPO Dog Control Order is available on the council’s website.
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For media enquiries, please contact Justin Brown, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8461 7872 or email justin.brown@bromley.gov.uk