COUNCIL leaders have strengthened rules around the responsibilities of dog owners when they take their pets out in public spaces.

At last week's meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s cabinet, it was agreed to extend the borough’s dog control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for a further three years.

In 2018, the council needed to streamline various bylaws and orders that already existed in different areas of the borough, and new rules for four-legged friends were introduced in a single PSPO.

The cabinet also approved an additional rule requiring dogs to be on a lead in all cemeteries and crematorium gardens in the borough, not just in those managed by the council, as was previously the case.

Councillor Karen Shore said: “Earlier this year a consultation and review of our existing dog control PSPO took place.

"Based on feedback from the consultation, we’ve seen that residents are happy with the current rules to keep our communities safe, while also balancing the needs of dog owners.

"The additional rule to include all cemeteries and crematorium gardens in the borough was approved by over 96% of respondents in the consultation.

"This was proposed as a result of complaints received and the distress caused to bereaved relatives if a dog not on lead urinates or even defecates on a grave."

The dog control order, which will apply for a further three years, includes the following:

  • Dogs are excluded from enclosed children’s play areas containing play equipment.
  • Dogs are excluded from partially or fully enclosed multi-use games areas and tennis courts.
  • Dogs must always be kept on lead in council cemeteries (now extended to all cemeteries).
  • Dogs must be kept on a lead in Grosvenor Park.
  • Dogs must be put on a lead on the direction of an authorised officer.
  • When a lead is required it must be no longer than two metres in length and if it is an extendable lead it must be locked at two metres.
  • All dog walkers are required to carry the means to collect dog foul – bags, scoops, etc.
  • The maximum number of dogs to be walked by one person at any one time, whether on behalf of business or themselves, is restricted to six.
  • Failing to pick up dog faeces is an offence.

In addition to the exclusion of dogs mentioned above, smoking is also prohibited in enclosed children’s play areas.

Assistance dogs are exempt from the exclusion areas and foul collection rules.