Dog Control PSPO consultation

PSPO FEEDBACK FORM:

Please complete this feedback form to share your views on the proposals for dog control and smoking.

The closing date for responses is 14 July 2024.

How to complete this feedback form:

If there are any questions that you do not wish to answer, please feel free to leave them blank.
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Council information is also available in audio, Braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a BSL interpreter, please email equalities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk, telephone 0300 123 8123 or textphone 18001 01606 275 757.

DOG EXCLUSION

Exclusion of dogs from defined children’s play areas, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and tennis courts.

Dogs are currently excluded from any children’s play area that contains children’s play equipment such as slides, swings, climbing frames and similar apparatus and that is enclosed on all sides by fences, gates, walls or other structures that mark the boundary of the play area. 

Dogs are also excluded from any partially or fully enclosed sports area (commonly known as a multi-use games area or MUGA) and from tennis courts. There is an exemption to any exclusion requirement for any person who is registered blind in charge of a registered guide dog; any person who is deaf and in charge of a hearing dog for deaf people; any person suffering a disability and in charge of a dog trained to assist their mobility which has been trained by a member of Assistance Dogs International.

DOGS ON LEADS

Dogs to be placed on leads if requested by an authorised officer – applies across the whole borough

The Council recognises that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and keep their dogs under control while they are out and about. Dogs that are considered to be not under proper control are subject to this part of the Order.   The proposal is therefore that the person in control of a dog should put the dog on a lead if requested to do so by an authorised officer. Authorised officers will carry appropriate identification.

DOGS ON LEADS
Dogs to always be on a lead on a small number of specific sites 
Dogs must always be placed on a lead on some specified sites. The sites identified are those where there have been specific issues in allowing dogs to run free at any time.

DOGS ON LEADS
Length of lead to be specified in the Order
In the current PSPO, if there is a requirement for a dog to be on a lead, a lead is defined as being of fixed length and of not more than two metres (m). Extendable leads are acceptable but, they should be locked at a length of 2m or less.

DOG FOULING 

Dog walkers to pick up dog foul and carry with them the means to pick up foul.

There is an exemption to any of these requirements for any person who is registered blind in charge of a registered guide dog or any person suffering a disability and in charge of a dog trained to assist their mobility which has been trained by a member of Assistance Dogs International.

RESTRICTION ON NUMBER OF DOGS TO BE WALKED AT ONE TIME

The proposal is to continue with the borough wide restriction on the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time, whether on behalf of a business or themselves. The current maximum is set at six dogs.

SMOKING 

Prohibition of smoking from defined children’s play areas
There is a current PSPO which prohibits smoking from all outdoor fully enclosed children’s play areas that contain children’s play equipment.