Huntingdonshire District Council has agreed to extend the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control in Huntingdonshire for a period of three years.
The decision was approved at the Licensing and Protection Committee meeting which took place on 27 September.
This PSPO makes conditions clearer and includes measures to tackle out of control dogs. The conditions are to challenge the behaviours of irresponsible dog owners or those in charge, which includes protecting public spaces from dogs which damage or destroy other animals, cause people alarm and/or distress, and from people responsible for dogs that repeatedly stray.
During August, residents were given the opportunity to take part in a consultation process on whether the existing measures should be extended to continue to ensure dogs are kept under control in public areas.
The public response was once again overwhelmingly in favour of the measures – with 95% of respondents agreeing with each of the elements of the Dog Control PSPOs and that they should be continued over the next 3 years.
The PSPO will see the following rules continue to be enforced:
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The PSPO applies to the whole of Huntingdonshire, with general conditions covering the whole district and additional conditions to apply only in specified locations
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The conditions of the PSPO will not apply to guide dogs or assistance dogs, within defined criteria
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A district-wide condition requiring dog faeces to be picked up and taken away or disposed of in a suitable bin
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A district-wide condition requiring persons in control of dogs to be required to carry a suitable receptacle for picking up and disposing of dog faeces, and to demonstrate this on request by an authorised officer
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A district-wide condition requiring dogs to be placed on a lead upon request by any authorised officer
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A condition requiring dogs to be kept on a lead at all times in specified locations - no change is proposed to the specified locations and
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A condition stating that dogs are not allowed in specified locations - no change is proposed to the specified locations.
The new approved conditions include:
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A condition requiring a person responsible for the dog(s) to ensure the dog(s) are not out of control or damaging or destroying another animal
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That the person responsible for the dog(s) are not allowing the dog(s) in their charge to cause alarm and/or distress
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The order will also introduce the conditions to allow action against a person responsible for dog(s) that repeatedly stray
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Change to the condition requiring dogs to be kept on a lead - HDC has removed the requirement for the lead length to be 1.5 meters.
Executive Councillor for Customer Services, Cllr Stephen Ferguson, said: "Our dog control PSPO is there to ensure that everyone can enjoy our parks and open spaces.
"It also means that owners must clear up after their dogs and keep them under control. “We are pleased that we have the public's support in the extension of the current PSPO for a further three years.
"We know that most dog owners are responsible, but there are some that are not, and we want to ensure that the minority of people who allow their dogs to not be under control in public places are held to account.
"The PSPO will also allow us to continue to create a better Huntingdonshire for future generations by protecting our public spaces and keeping them green and clean."
Find out where you currently can and can't walk your dog in Huntingdonshire on the Dog Exclusion Zones page.
View the full Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control