Mid-Sussex District Council seeks to extend dog control measures

Mid-Sussex District Council launched the process yesterday (September 10) to gauge public response to four public space protection orders (PSPOs) designed to encourage responsible dog ownership and protect the environment.

With the PSPOs set to expire later this year, the council is proposing to extend the powers currently in place.

Councillor Norman Webster, cabinet member for community said: “This is a key piece of work for the council because, as a pet loving nation, it’s important that we have policies in place to protect dogs, their owners and other users of our open spaces.

“We have four PSPOs in Mid-Sussex to deter dog fouling, to keep play and activity areas safe, to ensure people are able to control the number of dogs they have with them and to be able to request that a dog is put on a lead if that’s required.

“These measures are in place to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy our open spaces safely. Most dog owners in Mid-Sussex are responsible, pick up their dog’s mess and keep them under proper control. However, there is a small minority who don’t, and this can create problems.

“The public space protection orders enable fixed penalty notices to be issued by an authorised officer when they see an offence occur. These are set at £75 or £50 if paid within 10 days.

“We’re keen to hear from everyone, so please use this consultation as an opportunity to let us know if you like the current arrangements or if there’s anything you would like to change.”

The four PSPOs sought for extension cover fouling of public spaces on land which is ‘open to the air’, which requires owners to clean up their dogs’ messes.

A dog exclusion order means dogs s hould be excluded from all fenced children’s play areas and fenced recreational areas such as tennis courts, bowling greens and multi-activity areas owned by Mid-Sussex District Council.

Dogs must also be placed on a lead if requested to do so wby an authorised officer, in order to stop loose dogs disrupting sporting or community events, or local wildlife. This applies to district council owned land on which formal sports and community events regularly take place, and all designated nature reserves.

More than six dogs per person or group are also banned on council land, including nature reserves, adjoining land and large reception grounds.

The consultation will be available to view at the Mid Sussex District Council website www.midsussex.gov.uk/dogcontrolconsultation for six weeks starting on yesterday.