New orders for controlling dogs in public spaces

People are to be asked their views on new orders for controlling dogs in public places in Carmarthenshire.

A report is going before the council’s Environmental and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee outlining the new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

An extensive public consultation exercise is to be carried out to get residents views on the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

These PSPOs replace former Dog Control Orders which were previously being considered under the Clean Neighbourhoods Act.

The council will be consulting on:

• A county-wide order requiring owners to clean up after their dogs on public land
• An order excluding dogs from children’s play areas
• An order excluding dogs from all marked sports pitches
• An order excluding dogs from specific areas of county beaches (this would be seasonal only from May 1 to September 30)
• A generic order requiring dogs to be kept on leads at all times on public highways (or placed on a lead at the direction of a police officer or an authorised council officer)

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “We know there is a lot of public support for some of these orders from previous consultation we have carried out, but unfortunately, we have been held up by a change in legislation.

“As a result, we will now be consulting with the public again on the new PSPOs asking them to consider a range of potential options that seek to balance the needs of the public against that of dog owners.

“It may be the case that not all of these orders are supported and we only introduce one or two of them; or we look again at them in the future.”

The council will be seeking the views of residents as well as town and community councils and other interested parties such as The Kennel Club.

Director of Environment Christina Harrhy said: “A number of new powers have been created under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to address the problem of irresponsible dog ownership. Some replace existing powers while others are new.

“These new orders are designed to give greater flexibility in tackling irresponsible dog owners and we will be consulting with the public on the range of powers available to find out if any of these are suitable for Carmarthenshire.

“Ultimately however, these powers should not pose a problem for responsible dog owners.”

Further details on the consultation will be provided in due course.