Teignbridge keen to hear from public about new dog control measures

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2019 - 10:08am

Teignbridge District Council are encouraging members of the public to have their say and get involved with a Review Group looking into the new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which came into effect on 1 April 2019.

As part of the new dog control measures a cross political party review group has been set up and held its first meeting last month. The purpose of the Review Group is to undertake a strategic review of the Council’s PSPO in relation to dog walking. In particular the Review Group will be reviewing the maximum number of dogs that can be walked at any one time by one person, and the seasonal dog exclusion areas on beaches.

The next Review Group meeting is planned for June. As well as providing their comments the public are also being asked if they would like to be considered to attend and discuss their thoughts.

If you wish to comment please visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/pspofeedback. If you would also like to be considered to be invited to attend a meeting of the Review Group to discuss your thoughts and would be available in June (exact date to be confirmed), please advise this with your comments by Monday 20 May, giving your name and contact details.

It is important that the Review group receive as many views as possible on the viability of the PSPO and would welcome the thoughts of residents and those who work within the areas that are particularly effected i.e. green spaces, beaches, play areas and walking and cycle paths. This is a review that will be looking at the seasonal impact of the restrictions. Comments are welcome from representatives of dog walking businesses, the public who are dog owners and those who are not. 

David Eaton, Teignbridge District Council’s Environmental Protection Manager, said: “When considering the new PSPO controls we recognised the need to review the implementation to ensure it was meeting the objectives of the Council Strategy. Councillors will review the implementation at 6 months and 12 months with reports to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It is important that all residents, businesses and visitors have the opportunity to provide feedback to the group.”

The introduction of the PSPO means that authorised Teignbridge officers are able to issue fixed penalty notices to those caught ignoring the rules on dog fouling and controls. With the new PSPO now in effect it means:

  • you must pick up after your dog in public places
  • dogs aren't allowed in areas signed as dog exclusion areas (for example, children’s play parks)
  • dogs aren’t allowed on some beaches from 1 April to 30 September
  • dogs must be kept on a lead in certain areas
  • dogs must be kept on leads when walking next to a road, on footpaths next to the road or on cycle paths
  • where a dog is being a nuisance or annoying to people or other animals, people must put their dog on a lead if asked to do so by a council officer or police officer
  • one person can only walk a maximum of six dogs at a time
  • you must carry sufficient dog poo bags

Full details about the PSPO can be found at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/dogpspo

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