How to construct a (dog friendly) PSPO effectively

Meet the team

Stephen Jenkinson

Access and

Countryside Advisor

Ed Hayes

Senior Public

Affairs Officer

Holly Conway

Public Affairs Manager

PSPOs and the Kennel Club

• Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 dog owners are required to provide for the welfare needs of their dogs. In most cases will include off-lead exercise

• We monitor and act on PSPO proposals affecting dog walkers. We seek proportionate and effective measures

• We are listed in both Home Office and Defra guidance on PSPOs

• Content and advice for local authorities - www.kcdog.org.uk

KC Dog report

• Report launched October 2016 - highlights good and bad practice

• Core principles remain valid

• Called for updated guidance – now have this from Home Office and LGA. These provide basic principles of constructing a good PSPO

What can dog related PSPOs cover

A Public Spaces Protection Order could, for example• exclude dogs from designated areas (e.g. a children’s play area in a park)• require the person in charge of the dog to pick up after it • require dogs to be kept on leads in a designated area• be framed to apply during specific times or periods (e.g. dogs excluded from a beach from 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September)• restrict the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time• put in place other restrictions or requirements to tackle or prevent any other activity that is considered to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or is likely to have such an effect.

Are restrictions effective? Are there other options?

Councils should consider whether alternative options are available to deal with problems around irresponsible dog ownership or dogs being out of control. It may be that if there are local problems with specific individuals…..the other available powers, such as the Community Protection Notice, may be more appropriate....targeted measures and educational days for irresponsible dog owners can bring about real improvements in the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners.

• The approach of most local authorities is to implement blanket restrictions on where dogs can exercise in public spaces

• Unlikely to impact on the underlying, unwanted behaviour the restriction has been brought in to deal with – typically dogs running out of control & fouling

Getting the Desired Outcome

Councils should consider if the proposed restrictions will displace dog walkers onto other sensitive land, such as farmland or nature conversation areas.

We advise council’s to:

• Clearly identify what problem needs to be addressed

• Determine is it a behaviour that needs to be banned outright i.e. dog fouling or perhaps managed i.e. controlling off lead dogs?

• Decide if a PSPO is the right tool?– For banning a behaviour – in most cases yes.– For managing a behaviour – in some cases no!– Would targeting individuals with Community Protection Notices be

better?

Least restrictive approach

• Least restrictive approach –typically has greater compliance and least opposition

• Can be achieved by introducing restrictions which apply for certain times of day, particular months, or specific section of parks or beaches etc

• Can be achieved by directly addressing the specific problem rather than general problems which may not exists in some parts of the borough

Swindon dogs on lead PSPO,

applies to certain section of park in

peak hours / months

Alternative space to exercise dogs

• When deciding whether to make requirements or restrictions on dogs, local councils will need to consider whether there are suitable alternative public areas where dogs can be exercised without restrictions.

• Councils are also encouraged to publish a list of alternative sites which dog walkers can use to exercise their dogs without restrictions.

Good consultation

• Defra advice – council’s must consult dog law and welfare experts e.g. vets or animal welfare officers and organisations affected by restrictions before imposing restrictions. Councils may also wish to consider consulting the Kennel Club.

• The best way to avoid conflict and introduce an effective PSPO is to consult widely

• Talk with locals who will be effected by the PSPO and talk with representative bodies including businesses dependant on dog walking or tourism

• Start these conversations before launching a formal consultation

Signage, enforcement and exemptions

• Signage - most don’t actively look out for news on PSPOs –if you want people to comply let them know what they need to do

• Make sure signs are clear and placed sensibly

• Let people know both when they are entering and when they are leaving a restricted space

• Enforcement – a PSPO which can’t / won’t be enforced is likely to cause additional problems

• Councils should consider the accessibility of these alternative sites for those with reduced mobility, including but not limited to, assistance dog users.

Publicising

Good and bad PSPOs – a summary

• Good PSPOs– Targeted at specific and genuinely anti-social behaviour– Reduce or eliminate the problem behaviour– Are proportionate and fair (least restrictive)– The appropriate tool for the job

• Bad PSPOs– Address non-existent problems– Ineffective at reducing problematic behaviour– Sledgehammer to crack a nut approach – (significant)

negative impact upon responsible, law abiding citizens

Often as a result of bad proposed PSPOs dog owners groups form. We act an intermediary. E.g. Fylde, Coventry and Southwold and Reydon

Newspaper Clippings

Protest Walks

Thanks for listening

• If you are considering introducing dog management measures such as a PSPO please contact us on –

– kcdog@thekennelclub.org.uk or

– www.kcdog.org.uk or

– 020 7518 1020