Consultations
Dog control consultation in Braintree District
The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced several new tools and powers for use by councils and their partners to address anti-social behaviour in their local areas.
One such tool is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which deals with anti-social behaviour in an area which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can ban certain behaviours, or introduce specific requirements. In this case the proposed order relates to the control of dogs in public areas.
Braintree is home to thousands of responsible dog owners who exercise their pets across the district. In addition, our parks and open spaces also attract dog owners from further afield. Unfortunately, not all dog owners follow good practice around the control of their pets or cleaning up after them, and we continue to receive complaints about the impact of this on other users of our open spaces.
To encourage responsible dog ownership, Braintree District Council will be conducting a public consultation to consider the implementation of dog control Public Spaces Protection Order
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) would look to implement the following measures:
Measure 1 (Dog Exclusion Areas)
Exclusion of dogs from all children’s play areas, whether they are fenced or open, play areas, ball courts, multi games court and tennis courts.
Measure 2 (Dogs on Leads)
Keep dogs on leads on specific identified land
Measure 3 (Dogs on Leads by Direction)
The requirement for a person in charge of a dog to comply with a request from an authorised officer, Police Officer or PCSO to put a dog on a lead when the dog is causing annoyance or disturbance to any person or animal.
Measure 4 (Dog Fouling)
The offence of dog fouling including a requirement for persons in charge of a dog on public land to remove their dogs faeces.
Measure 5 (Carrying means for disposal)
Being a person in charge of a dog in a public space to have an appropriate means (i.e. a dog poo bag) to pick up any faeces deposited by that dog and to show they have a bag(s) if requested to do so by an authorised officer, Police Officer or PCSO.
The public consultation will provide an opportunity for residents to have their say in support of or against the order.
Map of coverage area for PSPO
How to have your say
We have consulted on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the whole of the Braintree District. PSPOs create legal powers to help authorities address specific anti-social behaviour issues in an area that are having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community.
The proposed PSPO is to provide legal powers to help the council and police with tackling anti-social behaviour related to the control of dogs in public places and dog fouling throughout the district.
Breach of a PSPO restriction or prohibition is a criminal offence which can result in prosecution. If approved, this PSPO will allow police or other authorised officers to be able to ask someone causing anti-social behaviour to stop, and issue a fixed penalty notice if that person does not comply.
The PSPO will focus on tackling anti-social behaviour associated with dogs out of control in public spaces and dog fouling. The option for owners to exercise their dogs responsibly within the district remains, while the PSPO is designed to support Braintree District Council and Essex Police in addressing behaviour that negatively impacts community safety, the environment and the quality of life for residents, and visitors. If implemented, the order will be in place for 3 years
Feedback provided by residents of the district included whether they agree or disagree with the amendments, offer any further comments or suggestions, and share experiences of this type of anti-social behaviour in the Braintree District.
Your feedback will be analysed and shared with the cabinet member for stronger communities who has delegated authority as to the implementation of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
View the dog control PSPO FAQs
The public consultation commenced on 15 May and has closed as of midnight on 15 June.
