Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is inviting residents to have their say on proposals to extend the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO): Dog Control in Huntingdonshire for a period of three years.
PSPOs help to tackle anti-social behaviour locally and aim to ensure that public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour.
Since 2017, we have enforced a PSPO for Dog Control, which includes measures such as requiring dogs to be kept on leads in certain areas, monitoring areas where dogs aren't allowed and making sure owners clean up after their dogs. This PSPO was renewed in October 2020, keeping the same conditions.
We are renewing the PSPO for Dog Control following increased service requests in relation to dog control.
This PSPO makes the current 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.
Executive Councillor for Customer Services, Cllr Stephen Ferguson, said: "There have been some unfortunate incidents that HDC have received in relation to dog control issues and reports of heavily fouled areas.
"We are giving residents an opportunity to have their say on the future of PSPO Dog Control across the district so that we can ensure everyone feels safe and welcome around Huntingdonshire.
"We know that most dog owners are responsible, but there are some that are not, and the new conditions makes the pre-existing conditions clearer whilst also implementing a new requirement to tackle out of control dogs.
"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."
In Section 59(8) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 states "A public spaces protection order must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State".
It is the Statutory Guidance for this Act which states that members of the public and relevant bodies should be consulted on a proposed PSPO.
Responses need to be made by Monday 28 August 2023.