PEOPLE who fail to clean up after their dogs could soon be facing fines from Shropshire Council is a new proposal is backed.

The unitary authority is looking to introduce a countywide ‘public spaces protection order’ (PSPO) which would grant powers to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100 to those who allow their dogs to foul pavements and public spaces.

The proposal will be put to the council's Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday (October 18) next week, the council’s Cabinet.

 

Dan Morris, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said: “Dog poo is unsightly, it’s unpleasant and it’s a health risk, and it’s the responsibility of all dog owners to clean up after their dog.

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    “However, an internal review last winter found 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 – and a PSPO is the best way to do this.

    “The PSPO would allow the council’s dog warden service to take enforcement action against dog owners who allow their animals to foul pavements and public amenity spaces, by enabling the issue of fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.

    “It will also help to prevent dogs from entering play areas, and ensure that dogs are kept on leads on the public highway, and must wear a lead if out of control or acting aggressively.”

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    Under the PSPO, dogs would also be excluded from 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 where they are not under the control of their owner or are acting aggressively.

    If backed, a consultation will run for eight weeks, with the findings then brought back to Cabinet for further consideration early next year.

    As both public education and enforcement are required to encourage responsible dog ownership, if a PSPO the council has agreed that an educational campaign would be run ahead of the new rules coming into effect.