The Dorset Council wide Dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force on the 1 January 2021. During the first month Dorset Council focused on advice and guidance to dog-owners explaining the new rules.
The PSPO places restrictions on dog owners in control of their dogs. These restrictions include clearing up dog fouling and proper disposal of the waste in any open space. On certain land dogs are not allowed on marked sports pitches or enclosed children’s play areas or are required to be on lead, such as in cemeteries, formal gardens etc. There are also dog restrictions on some beaches relating to certain times of the year, the details can be found at the beach locations.
From 1 February if the rules are broken Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) may be issued by enforcement officers. FPNs can be served by post if a witness provides details of the dog owner (such as their address) or their vehicle registration number and are willing to provide a suitable witness statement.
Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said:
“The PSPO has been made to protect the health of Dorset residents and visitors and is particularly aimed at areas that children and families use.
“It targets times and places that attract families, but leaves a variety of open spaces, countryside and beaches where there aren’t any restrictions.
As a dog owner, I am all in favour of dog owners making sure that fouling by their dog is cleared up and suitably disposed of. The use of enforcement officers will no doubt be effective to some extent, and appropriate in handing out FPNs. However, I would like to know how you propose, in the absence of an enforcement officer, that an independent “witness”, which could result in an FPN by post, will “prove” it was the person accused who had failed to clear up after their dog had fouled the space, and, indeed, that it was their dog who had carried out the fouling and was thus not under control ? Or do you just expect anyone so accused to pay the FPN, without adequate proof or evidence as to whether or not it was them or their dog who had transgressed ? Does this policy have legal standing ?
Whitely Bay. The path that is adjacent to the sea wall. Are dogs allowed to run free? One dog approached me off a lead causing an argument with the owner.
Also there is a football pitch/cricket pitch . Are dogs allowed on this area to run free?
Thanks
Hi Tom – you can find details about Dorset beaches at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/dog-walking-in-dorset/walking-dogs-on-beaches and other Dorset areas at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/environmental-health/dog-warden-service/dog-public-spaces-protection-orders Fiona
No mention of dangerous dogs? ANY Beaches fields woodland . I say this as I was attacked on chesil beach today!
Dont you people ever stop? Havent we had a bellyful of rules and regulatiosn over the past year? Let people LIV
It is completely unacceptable that people can be issued with a fixed penalty notice by post on the say so of someone providing their vehicle registration or just on the say so of one person. That leaves people wide open to accusation by folk who have a bee in their bonnet about dogs or don’t like an individual for some reason. You should at the least be demanding the person making the accusation provides some for of photographic or video evidence before acting. I hope folk issued with a FPN under these circumstances challenge it vigorously.
I quiet agree. Many of us have cameras on our mobiles, use them.
Very scant information about the revised use of Weymouth town beach by dog walkers is available at the beach – simply a couple of A4 notices that the PSPO has been revised. The signs have not been updated. I am sure people who do not follow the council’s deliberations but who have dogs and use the beach would like to know about the new rules.
I have noticed this aggressive policy towards Dog Owners and Fouling. So now can you explain, Why you never prosecute Horse owners, For their animals Fouling the Highways or Beaches, And Farmers can just Tarmac the roads with waste, and not a finger is raised?.
We are all supposed to be equal before the Law. So why are these two groups Treated as though they are above it. I would like an answer.
Hi Victor – The main issue with dog Faeces is because of their diet which is mainly meat based and can harbour nasty bacteria and other organisms that can cause illness in Humans. The faeces of herbivorves such as horses and cows do not contain the same organisms.
At Seatown Beach today, dogs loose and dog poo bags shoved in rocks, where are the wardens?
What about wild areas such as Wareham Forest? I find it very offensive that dog owners will throw filled dog poo bags into the trees where they can hang for months for all to see!
Surely it is better to leave it on the ground along with the excreta of many other wild animals where it will soon be washed away by the rain?
Lin – this often depends upon the landowner. But dog faeces on grazing land can cause abortions in livestock. When using bags we expect people to dispose of it in the appropriate bins or take home and put in their household waste.
We have a problem in Maiden Newton. Dog poo on the pavement along Stanstead Rd and along the path from the station, the old railway line. I think I know who some of the culprits are but don’t want to name names.
Good morning,
While most dog owners are responsible and caring about the environment, I note that the dog waste bins are not being replaced by the authorities, in fact being removed. This does not encourage responsible behaviour.
G Singh
Dog waste can be placed in any public litter bin or taken home and put in a household rubbish bin.
I agree with the comments that it is unfair that people can be fined because a witness says they saw their dog foul the area. I was in the new forest and a lady from the NF national park authority who was in the car park handing out leaflets accused me of not picking up poo after my dog. There were several dogs running around the car park and I knew that it wasn’t my dog but she was adamant that it was. Fortunately another witness told her which dog it really was – it would have been unfair if I had been fined. Even reliable witnesses can get it wrong! Otherwise I think the rules are fair.
Yesterday Dorset Council released the new consultation unfortunatly yet again information is incorrect, it is not only dogs that carry the bacteria but Cats and Foxes, the NHS website carries the correct information regarding health risks, as a community we are encouraging and sharing information regarding where and how to dispose of dog waste and encouraging people to use combustible bags which can be disposed of at home, will not enter the waste system. We know it is 5% of dog owners who fail to pick up and bin it, we remove bags and dog waste also dangerous toxic litter like cigarette butts. We know of one fine being issued and not for dog fouling but for having a dog on a lead longer than 2 metres on the Promenade at Greenhill which is a joint footpath with cyclist. Still no fines for dog fouling, we hope signage will clearly show assistance dogs are permitted unrestricted in areas covered by the PSPO and stop the abuse they suffer through the public not being aware of the law
Hi Linda, of course other meat eating animals do carry toxicarus, but these are not exercised in public spaces where familes spend their time. As far as fines for dog fouling it is difficult because unless we see it happening it is difficult to bring a fine to bear. Fiona