Council seeks to protect public spaces with new orders

Published on 13 August 2020

Measures to keep public spaces across the Staffordshire Moorlands free from dog fouling and nuisance dogs are being considered.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is seeking to replace the current Dog Control Orders, which expire in October this year, with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) requiring people to keep their dogs under control and to pick up after them.

The Orders cover, but are not limited to, parks, public gardens and open spaces including land owned by town and parish councils, cemeteries, footpaths, footways and highways.

If agreed, the PSPO will take effect from October so there will be no gap in the protection they provide.  The Order will be in place for a period of three years.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy public spaces which are free from dog fouling and where dogs are kept under control so they don't cause a nuisance to other people.

"The Dog Control Orders which are currently in place to give the Council the powers to enforce this are set to expire later this year and, in any case, they have now been replaced by the ability to introduce PSPOs.

"We are therefore giving notice that it is the Council's intention to discharge the dog orders and, at the same time, introduce the PSPO so we are not left with any gaps in provision.

"This does not alter our position on enforcing the orders and people can be reassured that we will continue to patrol our public spaces to keep them clean and pleasant for everyone. We will not hesitate to issue fixed penalty fines to people who don't comply with the orders."

Find out more at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/PSPO