Areas to be out of bounds for hounds
DOG owners are to be subjected to a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to prevent foul play from their furry friends.
A report to Halton Borough Council’s Environment And Urban Renewal Policy And Performance Board, submitted on Wednesday, June 27, outlined the proposals that would see restrictions placed on the number of dogs walked at a time, as well as a requirement for dog owners to carry evidence of the means to pick up dog faeces when out with their pets. Halton residents will be able to have their say on the matter in a public consultation exercise by the council.
The report by Halton Borough Council’s strategic director of enterprise, community and resources suggested that there should be a restriction on the number of dogs one person can walk at a time. The report said: “Officers believe that it would be difficult for any single person to control numerous dogs at the same time and that this lack of control could result in nuisance and increase the likelihood of dog fouling going unnoticed and not being cleared up. To this end, it is being proposed to introduce a maximum number of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time.
“This control will apply borough-wide on land to which the public has access.”
The report notes that many authorities have already taken this action, with the maximum number of dogs permitted to be walked by one person ranging from four to six.
Part of the public consultation will therefore be asking what residents think is a reasonable number of dogs walked at one time.
The second proposed inclusion in the PSPO would require dog owners to be able to provide evidence that they have ‘appro- priate means’ to to pick up dog faeces.
The report said: “Many authorities have started to introduce orders that include a requirement for persons in charge of a dog to provide evidence that they have with them an appropriate means to pick up dog faeces that may be deposited by their dog.
“The proposal is to include in the new PSPO a requirement that any person in control of a dog must carry with them bags as a means of collecting foul and must provide evidence of this if requested to do so by an officer.
“Although this proposal may be seen as controversial by some, it is intended to be a proactive approach to tackling dog fouling problems. The consultation process will give the public and other statutory consultees an opportunity to provide their views.”
The two new proposals, if passed, will be added to the Dog Control Orders that were introduced in October 2010.
These orders made it an offence to fail to pick up after a dog had fouled, to allow a dog into a designated children’s play area, to fail to keep a dog on a lead on specified land and to fail to put a dog on a lead when directed to do so by a council officer.
The report outlined the dangers of dog fouling when it is not dealt with properly.
It said: “Dog owners have the right to enjoy their pets and to exercise them. Similarly, members of the local community have a right to be able to enjoy a clean and safe environment.
“Unfortunately, dog fouling continues to be a widespread nuisance and is the source of complaints from the public.
”If ingested, dog faeces containing the round worm parasite Toxocara can cause illness or even blindness. The parasite can also lay dormant within the ground long after the faeces have disappeared, meaning that young children who play on the ground are particularly at risk.”