Crime, News

Rushcliffe council to introduce stricter rules for dog owners to tackle anti-social behaviour

New rules for dog owners are due to be brought in across Rushcliffe – including a limit on how many dogs someone is allowed to walk at one time.

The borough council is expected to extend a legal tool known as a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in a bid to tackle animal-related antisocial behaviour.

This is to act on an “increase in the frequency or seriousness” of dog-related incidents, such as dog-fouling and dogs off-lead in restricted areas, a report says.

The order will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Tuesday (May 13).

Under the new rules, dog owners must only walk a maximum of six dogs at any point of time – this is limited to four dogs in specific areas.

Council officers can now instruct a person to leash their dog in any area – not just designated leash zones.

The order will apply to more locations as well, including certain new developments.

There will be fines – called Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) – for dog fouling as well as all of the above.

A previous PSPO, which is set to expire on July 7, will be extended on July 8 for the next three years once approved.

A public consultation, which was carried out from February 1 to March 7, showed overwhelming support for the continuation of the PSPO.

A total of 94 per cent of respondents supported renewing the PSPO.

A specific question was asked about limiting the number of dogs a person can walk at once, in which 74 percent of residents agreed with the idea of putting restrictions in place.

There is also a “significant” number of dog fouling incidents at Ruschliffe parks, according to comments from the council’s Communities Manager mentioned in the report.

Only four dogs being walked at a time can “ensure the walker can monitor and collect waste from their dogs”, they said.

Under the existing rules, dog owners must also clean up after dog faeces immediately in public areas.

When walking a dog, residents must carry bags or other means to pick up faeces, unless they have a reasonable excuse or have landowner consent.

If asked by an officer, dog walkers must show they have bags with them.

Dogs are also not allowed in certain areas, like children’s play zones, unless owners have a reasonable excuse or landowner permission.

The PSPO will not apply to people who are registered blind, are deaf, those with a physical or mental impairment who use dogs for assistance, or working dogs such as police or search and rescue, documents say.