Council to introduce new dog control orders

Shropshire Council is to introduce three new dog control orders to simplify the current system of where and how dogs should be controlled across the county. 

The move follows extensive consultation earlier this year which sought people’s views on a proposal to revoke the various orders formally made by the defunct borough and district councils, and adopt three dog control orders to consistently tackle a variety of issues that will improve people’s enjoyment of their local environment. 

As the majority of people were in favour of these proposals, the new orders will come into force on Friday 1 November 2013.  They include: 

• The Fouling of Land by Dogs order – this order makes it an offence for a person in control of a dog to fail to clean up after their dog has fouled on land to which the order applies.  The order applies to most publicly-accessible land in the council’s area.
• The Dogs on Leads by Direction order – this gives officers, authorised by the council, the power to request that dogs are put on leads where they are not under the appropriate control of their owner, or where they are causing alarm or distress.  The order applies to most publically-accessible land in the council’s area.
• The Dog Exclusion order – this order makes it an offence for a person in control of a dog to allow their dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.  Dogs are excluded from entering: equipped children’s play areas; fenced-off or marked out sporting areas; fenced-off war memorials, and dog-free areas in specified open spaces.  

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member, said:

“Firstly I’d like to thank everyone for giving us their feedback during our consultation, it has proved extremely helpful. 

“I am confident that we now have a set of orders which meet our needs as well as those of the local community.  The orders are not unreasonably restrictive for dog owners, as the majority will already be complying.  It is our intention to target the minority of irresponsible dog owners who spoil our beautiful county, causing a nuisance for the rest of us. 

“Failing to clear up after your pet is a criminal offence, and those found to be responsible could face an on-the-spot fine of £75.  Council officers regularly patrol the county and issue Environmental Crime Reports and Fixed Penalty Notices to those few who do not comply with the existing orders.” 

So far this year the council has issued 23 Environmental Crime Reports.  While the majority of these resulted in warning letters being sent, a number resulted in Fixed Penalty Notices being issued. 

To report a dog fouling problem, people can visit http://shropshire.gov.uk/environmental-maintenance/street-cleaning/report-a-dog-fouling-problem/ or call the council’s customer service centre on 0345 678 9006. 

The orders and associated information are available for viewing via shropshire.gov.uk/environmental-maintenance/dog-warden-service/dog-control-orders/ or at Shropshire Council’s customer service points during normal opening hours. 

The orders can also be inspected and copies obtained from Shropshire Council, Environmental Maintenance – Central Division, 107 Longden Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 9EL by prior arrangement.  Email central.division@shropshire.gov.uk to make an appointment.