Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders proposed extension

Salford City Council is consulting about the proposed extension of the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) in Salford.

Salford City Council undertakes various engagement programs across the city. However even with all this engagement we continue to observe problems across the city.

Dog fouling is seen as one of the most offensive types of nuisance anti-social behaviour, affecting parks, sports fields, play areas, cemeteries and public realm across the city. Dog excrement is also a public health risk, with the potential to lead to blindness due to infection with Toxocaria canis.

Salford City Council is proposing to extend the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders for a further three years when the current orders expire in November under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to work alongside the engagement program to be used as an additional tool for partners to use in order to prevent or reduce ASB caused by the minority in the city which adversely affects both the residents of and visitors to the city.

It is proposed to extend the current Orders. The current orders are: 

1. It is an offence for any person, when being in charge of a dog on land to which the order applies, not to immediately remove faeces deposited by the dog at anytime and to have the means to pick up dog faeces deposited by a dog that is in their control on land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access in the city of Salford including but not limited to parks, public open spaces and highways.

The order does not apply to any land that is placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners under section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1967.

2. It is an offence for a person to take more than four dogs onto any land specified in the schedule on land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access in the City of Salford including but not limited to parks, public open spaces and highways.

The order does not apply to any land that is placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners under section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1967.

3. It is an offence for any person in charge of a dog to take the dog onto, or permit the dog to enter or remain on, land in an exclusion zone.

The order shall apply to the following areas of land, which are open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access within the city of Salford:

• All children’s play areas
• All marked sporting areas within parks and open spaces such as football, rugby, hockey or cricket pitches and bowling greens.
• Memorial parks and gardens within the city of Salford
• All school premises, school playing fields and school areas within the city of Salford.

The order does not apply to any land that is placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners under section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1967.

4. It is an offence for any person in charge of a dog to fail to keep the dog on a lead at all times on all roads and highways. 

The order does not apply to any land that is placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners under section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1967.

5. It is an offence for any person when being in charge of a dog not to put, and thereafter keep the dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access in the city of Salford including but not limited to parks, public open spaces and highways.

The order does not apply to any land that is placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners under section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1967.

6. It is an offence for any person when being in charge of a dog in a Cemetery not to keep it on a lead, two metres or shorter.

Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the Orders shall is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000) on the standard scale or a fixed penalty notice not exceeding £100.

We want to give everyone, the opportunity to have their say on the proposal before a decision is made. If you wish to express your views, please follow the link and complete the consultation questionnaire below:

Consultation questionnaire for extension of the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders 

Further details

• Write to us at Environmental Protection, Environment & Community Safety Directorate, Salford City Council, Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 5FJ
• Email us at: environmentalprotection@salford.gov.uk