Public Space Protection Order for extra dog fouling and controls agreed 

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog fouling and control will be introduced across Teignbridge from 1 April following a decision by Full Council today. 

Teignbridge made a commitment to review its policy on dog fouling and restricted access across the district’s open spaces and beaches through its 10-year Council Strategy, a long-term plan of action aimed at making Teignbridge and healthy and more desirable place where people want to live, work and visit. 

The benefit of a PSPO to residents of Teignbridge is that officers will be able to issue fixed penalty notices to those caught ignoring the rules on dog fouling and controls. This is a quick resolution however persistent offenders can still be prosecuted. The PSPO sets one standard across the district rather than the inconsistent approach currently in place. 

The PSPO had been through the committee decision making process, including call-ins where it could be looked at in more detail. 

Full Council examined one element of the order relating to the maximum number of dogs a person can walk at any one time. Following a vote, it was decided to increase the number of dogs from a maximum of four to six. 

When introduced from 1 April the PSPO will mean: 

• 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 cyclepaths. 
• 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 

Work will now begin on preparing the order. An Overview and Scrutiny Committee review group will monitor the PSPO including the number of dogs someone can walk at a time to see if it works or not. 

In the meantime, community environment wardens will continue to respond to complaints about dog fouling and breaches of dog byelaws.