Dog Control
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) to allow councils to introduce a range of measures to deal with irresponsible dog ownership.
The Orders aim to balance the interests of those with dogs, and the interests of those affected by the activities of dogs, such as children in playgrounds etc.
Please note dog control orders do not deal with dangerous dogs - they are the responsibility of Lancashire Police (101 - non-emergency number).
Orders have been introduced covering a number of activities, including dogs fouling of land, dog exclusion, dogs on leads, means to pick up dog faeces and maximum number of dogs walked by one person.
These orders come into effect on 19th August 2019 and will be reviewed periodically, but must be formally reviewed after 3 years.
Fouling of Land by Dogs Order
This Order makes it an offence for anyone in charge of a dog to fail to pick up the dog's faeces after allowing the dog to foul on any land unless they have a reasonable excuse or the consent of the landowner.
Dogs on Leads Order
This means that a person in charge of a dog is guilty of an offence if they do not have the dog on a lead in areas specified by the Order. They include:
- Cemeteries
- Allotments
- Council Car Parks
- Formal Gardens
Dogs on Lead by Direction Order
This means that one of our officers can require a person in charge of a dog to put the dog on a lead if it is thought reasonably necessary. Either to prevent a nuisance or behavior by the dog which is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person (on any land to which this Order applies) or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird. Any person who fails to do so will be guilty of an offence.
Dog Exclusion Zones Order
A person in charge of a dog will be guilty of an offence if they take or permit a dog to go on to and remain on land to which the order applies. This includes:
- Children's Play Areas
- Sports Facilities
- Sports Pitches
- Multi Use Games Areas
- Bowling Greens
- Tennis Courts
- Skate Parks
- Bike Tracks
Patrols to enforce Dog Control Orders are regularly carried out. Anyone found to have committed an offence under the Orders will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 or could be prosecuted.
To report dog control order issues please contact us. We use a combination of enforcement patrols, warning letters and signs to tackle dog control order issues.
Means to Pick up Dog Faeces Order
This order means that a dog walker must have a bag (s) or other article which can be used to pick up after their dog if it fouls.
Maximum Number of Dogs Order
This limits the number of dogs which can be walked by one person at any one time to 5.
Download copies of the full Public Space Protection Orders.