REDCAR & Cleveland Borough Council is encouraging residents to take part in the final weeks of a consultation on tough new powers clamping down on inconsiderate dog owners.
The council has proposed three new offences along with a more expensive fixed penalty notice to act as a stronger deterrent.
The council wants the views of residents before the consultation closes on Monday, April 11 to fine-tune the proposals.
The new offences, which would be grouped alongside existing offences under a wide ranging Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), are:
- Failure to have the means to pick up after a dog;
- Requiring dogs to be kept on leads in to-be-determined areas;
- Banning dogs from fenced-off children’s playgrounds.
Enforcement Officers will be applying the new offences from July 2016 and issuing fines of £100 to anyone who flouts the PSPO.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council could become one of the first authorities in the UK to implement the new PSPO legislation for dog fouling and it is hoped this will benefit the wider community.
These new offences are part of a wider campaign to promote responsible dog ownership across the borough following the launch of the ‘Pick up the poo before they do’ campaign last year.
Councillor Helen McLuckie, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “This consultation has been very popular with residents, but we want to ensure we get a wide range of views, so we’re encouraging as many people as possible to take part.
“We are determined to take a stand against a minority of dog owners in Redcar and Cleveland who think it is acceptable to not clean up after their pet.”
Councillor Barry Hunt, Ward Member for Brotton, said: “I am very pleased we are moving forward with this issue and that the council is doing a great deal to consult with residents so we can reduce dog fouling in our borough.”
Residents from across Redcar and Cleveland are invited to give their views on the proposals at:www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/consultation.