TOUGH new rules on people who fail to pick up after their pet, which have received overwhelming public support, have been advertised to the public ahead of their enforcement from 1 July.
The Public Spaces Protection Order will see new offences grouped alongside existing offences under the wide ranging order. The new offences are: Failure to have the means to pick up after a dog and not allowing dogs in fenced-off children’s playgrounds.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has become one of the first authorities in the country to introduce the new powers, which carry fines of £100 for anyone caught flouting the orders.
The fines will be introduced from Friday 1 July, with notices being displayed around the borough from Wednesday 1 June giving rule breakers enough time to change their ways before being stung with a bigger fine.
Cllr Alec Brown, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Dog fouling is a blight on the green spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors to our borough, and hopefully the introduction of the Public Spaces Protection Order will show the minority of irresponsible dog owners that the council will not tolerate their rude behaviour.”
For more information on the PSPO and to report dog fouling in your area, visit: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/dogfouling or call 01642 774774.