SHROPSHIRE Council is proposing fines of up to £100 for dog owners that allow their pets to foul pavements and public spaces without clearing it after.

This measure is part of an eight-week consultation to introduce a 'public spaces protection order' (PSPO), which grants Shropshire Council's dog warden service the authority to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100.

Under this order, dogs would be prohibited from entering play and sports areas and would be required to be leashed while on the public highway.

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Additionally, officers would be empowered to request that a dog be leashed when it is not under the control of its owner or is displaying aggressive behaviour.

Dan Morris, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said:

“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.

“We want people to let us know what they think about these proposals and I encourage any individuals or groups with an interest in this issue to share their views.”

The consultation runs until December 21 and the findings will then be brought back to the council’s Cabinet for further consideration early next year.

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

PSPOs create a framework that either replaces or updates existing public space restrictions such as alcohol Designated Public Place Orders and Dog Control Orders and permits local authorities to introduce new regulations.

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The public consultation will seek the views of the public, and a range of stakeholders and key partners, to help ensure any concerns are understood in advance of a PSPO being introduced.

A breach of the PSPO can be dealt with through the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100, or a level 3 fine (max £1000) on prosecution.

In establishing a PSPO, appropriate signage must be displayed in accordance with the requirements of the Act on entry points to the public area and within the said area.