Who let the dogs out? Stencils helping in campaign against dog fouling

In 2024, the Council received 133 complaints of dog fouling and 284 people were fined for breaches to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence subject to a fine on conviction of up to £1,000 however, you may be offered a fixed penalty notice (FPN) as an alternative to prosecution. Payment of the FPN discharges liability to conviction of the offence.

PSPOs are intended to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in a local area that is detrimental to the community’s quality of life.

They do so by imposing conditions on the use of that area to ensure everyone can use and enjoy public spaces without experiencing nuisance and annoyance. Given the wide-ranging scope of a PSPO, they are used sparingly and only after every other option has been exhausted.

The council works in partnership with the police to ensure the effective enforcement of PSPOs.

In an effort to combat the issue, the Council are deploying a range of vibrant stencils at hotspots such as parks and open spaces to remind dog owners of their duty to pick up after their dog.

Between September 2023 and August 2024, 284 FPNs were issued in relation to the dog control PSPO. Offences included:

• Dogs in excluded area – 5

• Dog fouling – 8

• Dogs on beach – 250

• Leads not being worn – 2

• No means to pick up dog mess – 12

• Other – 7

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “These stencils are just one way that we are tackling dog fouling issues across the borough.

“Owners need to remember their duty to pick up after their dog and not leave it for others to contend with. The Council have a zero tolerance approach to those not following the rules and these people will be prosecuted accordingly, it a serious issue that we are fully committed to tackling.”