Stockport’s Labour Council is taking action to promote responsible dog ownership, through a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This will apply to the small percentage of owners who allow their dogs to foul on public land, do not keep them on the lead in cemeteries and who take them into children’s play areas.
The Protection Order, which comes under the Crime and Policing Act 2014, will be enforced by both the Police and Council officers, who will be able to issue penalty notices. The standard fine will rise from £50 to £100 for fouling, and fines of up to £1000 can be issued through a Magistrates court.
The PSPO was publicly consulted upon during an online ‘Have Your Say’ consultation, which ran from March to June this year. Local dog walking companies, the Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club and the Stockport Safer Partnership were invited to take part. Feedback received both from dog walkers and owner groups has been overwhelmingly positive in relation to the plans.
Stockport’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Sheila Bailey, said:
“This move is firmly aimed at discouraging this irresponsible behaviour by a few. As a dog lover myself, there is nothing worse than having irresponsible dog owners tarnish the name of all those who take care over their animal’s behaviour and always pick up after them.
“We are lucky in Stockport to have many excellent open spaces where dogs can be exercised. There is no need for dogs to be present in children’s play areas or off the lead in cemeteries – and certainly no excuse for irresponsible fouling.
“I am pleased to see so much positive feedback from residents many of whom are dog owners themselves and from the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club. My aim is to make our parks, green spaces and pavements as clean and free of dog fouling as possible.”
ENDS
EDITOR NOTES:
The Report on the PSPO can be found under item 10 (from p154) of the July Cabinet meeting reports pack available here: http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=26243