In an attempt to tackle dog-fouling in communal green spaces, Cardiff Council announced this week a proposal to curb access for dogs to its parks.
Some dog owners have already commented on the proposals. @lolapop1 tweeted to Inksplott:
“Have you seen this @inksplott? Ridiculously harsh proposals from @cardiffcouncil that would affect use of Moorland and Splott Parks.”
If you agree with Lola or the Council, you can have your say as there is a consultation running until the 22nd of October.
Here’s the information taken directly from the Cardiff Council website:
“Cardiff Council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in relation to dogs.
Cardiff Council has the responsibility for the management and maintenance of public spaces across the city. These spaces include parks, adopted highways, sports grounds, Schools and cemeteries.
We have a number of parks and open spaces for dog walkers to take advantage of and we understand that dogs need to be exercised. The majority of dog owners are responsible and clean up after their dogs and we do not want to prohibit them from enjoying the open spaces that Cardiff has to offer. However, as you may be aware there are persistent issues across Cardiff, specifically where dog faeces are not being removed by dog owners.
Despite the number of interventions that Cardiff has tried over the years such as educational interventions across different parts of the city, there continues to be a growing concern across Cardiff in relation to dogs, specifically in relation to dog fouling.
In order to tackle these issues, the Council has the authority to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. A PSPO can prohibit or restrict certain activities and are designed to ensure that the law abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.
A PSPO would replace the current outdated byelaws and restrictions that are currently in place. The PSPO can last for 3 years and if breached an authorised officer could issue a Fixed Penalty Notice up to £100, which if not paid could be increased to £1,000.
The Council must consult with members of the public and other key stakeholders in order to introduce the new order and we would like your views on the following proposed restrictions;
- The prohibition of dog fouling in all public places owned and/or maintained by the Council.
- The exclusion of dogs in all enclosed playgrounds, marked sports pitches and Schools, which are owned and/or maintained by Cardiff Council.
- A requirement that dogs are kept on leads within all Cemeteries owned and/or maintained by Cardiff Council.
- Increasing the charge for a breach of the PSPO to £100.
- A requirement allowing authorised officers to give a direction that a dog(s) be put and kept on a lead if necessary.
Please note that there are exemptions from a PSPO and these will not apply to a person;
- Who is partially sighted or blind and registered under, Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948
- Who is registered as sight impaired, severely sight impaired or as having sight and hearing impairments, registered under 18 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014
- Who has a disability which affects their mobility or any other disability, where the requirement of removing faeces would be unreasonable.
A PSPO will not apply to working dogs, which are used for emergency search and rescue, law enforcement, HM armed forces or used for directing animals, these will also be exempt.”
The consultation is live and will run until the 22nd of October. You can comment here: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=153199160687