Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Attridge introduced the Dog DNA Scheme and the Introduction of Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders report which recommended replacing the current Dog Control Order with a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would cover all open space in the County.

                        The existing Dog Control Order only required owners to remove their dog’s faeces from public areas however creating a PSPO provided an opportunity for additional enforcement activity against other designated offences, such as the complete exclusion of dogs or a requirement to keep dogs on a lead on certain classifications of open space, such as children’s play areas, marked sports pitches or other formal recreation areas.

                        A number of activities were considered at an all Member Workshop and at Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee which would promote responsible dog ownership and help reduce the level of dog waste which currently blighted the open space and amenity land in the County.  A recommendation was made to Cabinet that the activities detailed in Appendix 2 to the report should be adopted, where it was practical to do so. 

                        On dog DNA, a Task and Finish Group had been established to investigate the potential of a dog DNA scheme and the findings were presented to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Both the Working Group and the Committee concluded that whilst there were merits in the proposals, further development work was required before the initiative could be adopted and that the pilot should not be taken forward at this point.

                        The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) explained that the new PSPO permitted the Council to undertake enforcement activities on land not owned by the Council and therefore each Town and Community Council would be asked if they wished the Council to undertake those duties on land within their ownership, as part of the consultation process.

                        In response to a question from Councillor Bithell on dogs being kept on a lead at all times, Councillor Attridge explained that it was considered at the Workshop but was not recommended as responsible dog owners would be penalised because of the minority.  It was about zero tolerance and implementation of the PSPO by Enforcement Officers.              

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the work carried out by the Dog DNA Task & Finish Group be noted and appreciated but a pilot scheme is not approved at this point;

(b)       That the implementation of a Dog Control Public Space Protection Order, containing the controls specified in Appendix 1, be approved, subject to a local consultation process; and

(c)        That the introduction of the additional measures detailed in Appendix 2, to further reduce the instances of dog fouling in the County, be approved.