Controlling your dog in a Public Space

A Public Space Protection Order PSPO entered into force on 20 October 2017 to help manage irresponsible dog ownership across the district. The PSPO replaces the Dog Control Orders that were previously in place. You will be committing an offence if you:

• fail to remove dog faeces (poo)
• do not keep a dog on a lead in certain areas
• do not put and keep a dog on a lead when told to do so by an authorised officer
• allow a dog to enter land where dogs are excluded and
• are not carrying a suitable bag (or similar) for picking up and disposing of dog faeces and be able to show this if requested by an authorised officer.

Offenders may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

- injures someone

- makes someone worried that it might injure them

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

- it attacks someone's animal

- the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'.

If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).