Fines for dog foulers to double across Adur and Worthing

Plans to double fines for dog fouling in public spaces have been approved by senior councillors.
Mike, a dogMike, a dog
Mike, a dog

Adur and Worthing's joint strategic committee voted last week to extend and amend two public space protection orders (PSPOs).

The proposal would see fines for breaching a PSPO - offences including leaving dog faeces, having an unleashed dog in a designated area, taking dogs into an exclusion zone and being in charge of more than six dogs at a time - increase from £50 to £100.

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Adur's PSPO covers the entire district and an extension of a further three years, the maximum term allowed, has been proposed.

Mike, a dogMike, a dog
Mike, a dog

An extension to Worthing's PSPO has also been agreed by councillors, as well as increasing the beach exclusion zone westwards from Warwick Road to Marine Gardens.

A report seen by the joint strategic committee showed only four fines were handed out last year across Adur and Worthing - one in Adur and three in Worthing.

In a meeting of the committee on Tuesday (March 5), Councillor Kevin Jenkins said while increased fines may bring in more revenue, it was important to strike a balance as more officers would be needed to catch perpetrators, who must be witnessed in the act to be prosecuted.

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The agreed recommendations must now go through a consultation period, set to begin in the summer, before going to full council in October 2019.

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