New Measures for Dog Control
Proposed Dog Control and Dog Fouling Public Spaces Protection Order 2023
Following a period of consultation in 2017, Flintshire County Council agreed to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) with regard to Dog Fouling and Control following strong support for the proposed conditions.
On 20th October 2017 a PSPO in relation to dog control took effect across Flintshire to create a more comprehensive and consistent approach when dealing with issues such as dog fouling, keeping dogs on leads, and excluding dogs from specified areas.
In summary this order:
Excludes dogs from:
- Equipped children’s play areas
- The playing areas of marked sports pitches and formal recreation areas
- School grounds
Requires dogs to be kept on leads:
Requires dog owners to remove Dog Waste
- This applies to any land to which is open to air and to which the public have access
Requires dog owners to put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer
- This will apply to any public land where a dog is considered to be out of control or causing alarm and distress
Requires dog owners to have a means on their person to collect dog waste from the ground if asked by an authorised officer
*Dogs are allowed to be exercised in the areas surrounding a marked sports pitch*
Penalty on breach of PSPO
Any persons found guilty of breaching the order are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000. But breach of any of the conditions above would lead to the issuing of a fixed penalty notice of £75.00 by an authorised officer.
Maps of affected areas are enclosed below, along with a FAQ document and Notice of the PSPO.
Map of Current Sites (new window)
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF new window)
Flintshire County Council Dog Control and Dog Fouling Public Spaces Protection Order 2017 (PDF new window)
PSPO’s last for a period of three years and then must be extended, as part of the extension process there has to be a consultation. The original PSPO was extended in 2020. It is again up for extension in 2023, details of the 2023 consultation can be found below.
Monday 5th June 2023 to Friday 14th July 2023
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) are one of several powers introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They are designed to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space which is having or is likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in the area. The behaviour must be unreasonable and persistent or continuing in nature.
Public Space Protection Orders last for three years, after that time they cease to have effect or if Council’s believe they are still required they can renew them. As part of that renewal process they must consult with possible affected parties. Flintshire’s current Dog Control PSPO ends in October 2023 and as such Flintshire County Council are consulting on extending it for a further three year period.
The prohibitions proposed would require dog owners to:
- Remove their dog’s waste immediately from the ground at all public locations.
- Put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. This only applies to any public land where a dog is considered to be out of control or causing alarm and distress.
- Keep dogs on leads within cemeteries.
- Have a means on their person to collect dog waste from the ground if asked by an authorised officer.
Dogs are also excluded from entering:
- enclosed children's play areas
- The playing areas of marked sports pitches
- The playing area of specific sporting or recreational facilities
- School Grounds
Any breaches would result in the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice to the person responsible for the dog.
In addition to the above prohibitions Flintshire County Council has been approached by Connah’s Quay and District Angling Club to request that the PSPO be amended to ban dogs from the footpath around The Rosie, Wepre Park, Connahs Quay and the Council has had a similar approach from Mold Town Council requesting dogs be banned from Mold Memorial Park, Maes Bodlonfa, Mold.
Connah’s Quay and District Angling Club have made this request because there have been instances of dogs being out of control whilst at the pool, jumping into the pool and scaring the wildlife. There have also been instances of dog owners not clearing up dog fouling at the site. Similarly, Mold Town Council have requested the ban at Mold Memorial Gardens due to dogs being out of control, ruining flower beds and dog fouling not being cleared up by some dog owners.
The consultation asks if you support bans at both or either of these sites and also asks that if you do not support a ban do you support dogs being kept on a lead at all times whilst they are at these sites. Should there not be support for either of those proposals then dog owners would still have to ensure that they:
- Remove their dog’s waste immediately from the ground at these locations.
- Put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. This would only apply when a dog is considered to be out of control or causing alarm and distress.
- Have a means on their person to collect dog waste from the ground if asked by an authorised officer.
We value your opinion, so please take the time to read the attached literature, which includes a copy of the draft order; a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document; and a map of current sites where the prohibitions would be enforced. Please then complete our online survey on the proposed PSPO conditions.