Decision details

To seek approval for a new Public Spaces Protection Order on dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership.

1)    That, following consideration of feedback from the public consultation and Policy Development Panel, the making of the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order to implement dog controls for the District of South Holland be approved; and

2)    That the Fixed Penalty Notice be approved and set at the maximum of £100.

• The public consultation showed considerable public support for the three proposed offences. It was therefore recommended that they were introduced in South Holland.

·       It was recommended that the Fixed Penalty Notice was set at the statutory maximum of £100 to reflect the anti-social nature of the offences and act as a deterrent

·       Do not introduce a new PSPO for dog controls – it was considered that a PSPO was the best means to implement the proposed dog controls. Offences for dog fouling were currently only available under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The PSPO would be applicable to all public open spaces and also enabled the introduction of further offences associated with dog control issues.

·       Introduce some but not all of the proposed offences – it was recommended that all three of the offences were introduced to improve dog controls across the District and reduce associated nuisance. The consultation demonstrated that the majority of responders supported the introduction of all three offences.

·       Introduce a lower Fixed Penalty Notice fine – it was recommended that the maximum amount was used as a deterrent, and in-line with many other local authorities across the country.