Council may take steps to control dog fouling
CONCERNS over dog fouling in Monmouthshire could lead to stricter rules for dog owners – including banning them from some pitches and playgrounds.
The county council’s strong communities select committee will consider whether to undertake a three-month consultation on the need for Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog controls.
This could include dog exclusion areas, dogs on leads areas and stricter rules for those who do not pick up their dog’s mess.
The council received 89 complaints to environmental health in 2019 in relation to dog fouling, one less than in 2018 where there were 90 complaints.
Currently, if a dog fouls on designated land in Monmouthshire and the person in charge of the dog fails to remove the mess, then that person is guilty of an offence unless there’s a reasonable excuse.
A council survey in 2019/20 found that there was dog mess on 16.7 per cent of streets in Monmouthshire, which is the highest on record since 2013/15 and significantly higher than the national average of 8.8 per cent.
A public consultation would seek the view of stakeholders including the chief of police, elected members, council officers and the general public.
A council report says that the aim of the consultation is “to help ensure there is a balance so that dog owners can enjoy their dogs and ensure their welfare, whilst at the same time others can still enjoy public spaces without interference or impact from dogs and irresponsible dog ownership.”
Some of the options under consideration are to make it an offence if a dog owner fails to remove the mess from public land, to exclude dogs from areas such as school grounds, play areas and marked pitches and to specify certain areas where dogs must be kept on leads.
A council report says: “As is the case with the existing order, breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence with a fine liable on prosecution in court of up to £1000.”
The committee will consider whether to undertake a consultation in its meeting on Thursday.