Fines rise for litter pugs in anti-social crackdown
Fines for dog fouling are to increase and council officials given greater powers in a bid to reduce antisocial behaviour among pet owners.
Following a public consultation, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has agreed a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control.
A new rule will give officials the power to order people to put their dog on a lead.
The measures will also make it an offence to fail to keep dogs on a lead within the grounds of Sutton Road Cemetery, to allow dogs in designated play areas or to allow a dog to be stray.
Fines for offences covered by the PSPO, for example dog fouling, will also be increased from £75 to £100 - bringing it into line with littering.
The measures were unanimously agreed by MBC’s communities, housing and environment committee last week. A two-month consultation on the plans saw 1,624 complete a survey, and MBC says a majority of the public were in favour of all rules proposed.
Around 90% of respondents said they were concerned about dog fouling and were in favour of increasing the fine for owners who do not clean up after their pet.
The report outlining the proposals said: “There is no current provision that officers can use to require this action, but if a dog is off lead and posing a risk of creating nuisance or harm then this equips officers with the means to halt the behaviour on the spot before it escalates to becoming a dangerous dog.
“This measure received significant public support in the consultation and provides a useful and flexible tool to the officers enforcement toolkit when dealing with the most irresponsible dog owners.”
Details of the order will be published on the council’s website and signs erected in areas covered by the new regulations.