Dog owners in Rushcliffe must now carry a bag or have other means to pick up dog waste after their pet when taking them for a walk or face a possible £100 fine, if unable to produce one on request as part of new powers.
Proposals for a Borough wide Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) are now in place after they were approved at a Full Council meeting at Rushcliffe Borough Council yesterday (July 7).
Action will focus in the first instance on engaging and educating dog owners on their responsibilities and responding to complaints in hotspot areas.
Fixed penalties will then be issued to offenders with a reduction for early repayment.
It follows two consultations last year involving town and parish councils and residents with the latter receiving over 700 responses that overwhelmingly supported the additional PSPO rules.
It replaces the previous dog fouling order and now covers all public land in the Borough to which the public have access to, with an exemption area created in Tollerton in line with local partners’ wishes.
The new powers also allow for further action to be taken on those who do not observe dog exclusion zones which will now apply to all children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks and gym equipment zones which are either fenced or enclosed across the Borough.
Engagement and action will also take place on ensuring dogs are kept on a lead in the current ‘dogs on lead’ specified areas within Rushcliffe Country Park in line with local signage.
Dog fouling on public footpaths and playing fields can cause many problems and in the worst cases can lead to blindness due to an infection called toxocariasis caused by the round worm Toxocara Canis found in dog faeces.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We’re aware the vast majority of dog owners take their responsibilities seriously and these new powers are there to tackle the minority who flout the rules including those who routinely don’t carry bags to clear up.
“We are keen to protect residents from any of the issues dog fouling raises and the overwhelming support from stakeholders to last year’s consultations shows we have a strong mandate to educate further and take action.
“The emphasis will be on engaging and educating dog owners and only applying fines where necessary.
“Our message to all dog owners is to always carry bags to ensure you’re ready to do the right thing and always pick up after your pet.”
