Dog owners in north Dorset could be fined under new rules

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been agreed by the district council following a public consultation in which more than 800 people had their say.

A number of rules around dog ownership will come into force on March 31.

Dogs will be excluded from children’s play areas, skateboard parks, sports pitches, and any other designated area.

The rule does not apply to people with a guide dog or other assistance dog. The PSPO will also see people face a fixed penalty notice if they fail to remove and dispose of their dog’s faeces on any council-owned land. The order states: “Being unaware of the defecation, or not having a device for or suitable means of removing it, shall not be a reasonable excuse for failing to remove the faeces.”

From March 31, dogs will also need to be kept on a lead when the owner is directed to do so by an ‘authorised person’.

The lead must not be more than two metres (six feet, six inches).

“An authorised person may give a direction to put and keep a dog on a lead if such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or disturbance to any other person or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird,” the order states.

The district council said it had “carefully considered the views of dog owners and the concerns of other residents who use public places such as parks” when making the order. The new North Dorset Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2019 will replace existing orders.

Cllr Andrew Kerby, community safety and wellbeing portfolio holder, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to share their views on how dogs should be managed in public places in North Dorset. We have looked carefully at the results and have tried to strike a balance to suit the interests of all.

“North Dorset District Council encourages responsible dog ownership. Most owners are very responsible, unfortunately a small minority who do not clear-up after their dogs do cause a problem.”