During Dog Awareness Week (30 June – 6 July) Knowsley’s dog owners are reminded of the ways they can keep their dogs and others safe as the council has updated its Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
The council has enhanced its current PSPO which is aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership and building better and safer communities.
The current Order has been in place for 10 years and enables officers to deal with dog control offences in a timely manner to the benefit of local communities across Knowsley.
The current Order in place requires people in charge of dogs to:
- Carry a bag or other means of cleaning up after their dog.
- Keep their dog on a lead at all times in Council-owned cemeteries, allotments and golf courses.
- Not take their dog into certain enclosed children’s play areas, games areas, or areas used for sport and leisure.
- Remove their dog’s mess if it fouls; and,
- Put their dog on a lead if instructed to do so by an authorised officer.
Additional measure introduced in the updated PSPO now require dog owners:
- Not to take their dogs into any children’s playground whether it is enclosed or not.
- To keep their dogs on a lead in designated woodland areas.
- To keep their dogs on a lead at all times within all designated carriageways (A and B classified roads) and adjoining footpaths, cycle tracks and verges.
- To limit the number of dogs that can be walked by one person to a maximum of six dogs in a public place at any one time, whether on behalf of a business or themselves.
If an offence is witnessed, the person in control of the dog will be given a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice or face prosecution.
The updated dog control measures were agreed following a consultation with residents – which included an online survey.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “While the majority of dog owners in Knowsley are responsible and will be following the rules, the strengthening of the current PSOP will highlight the importance of responsible dog ownership and help make the borough a safer place to live and work.
“The Council already works closely with Merseyside Police and other key partners, to promote responsible dog ownership and to take action against illegal dog breeders or owners whose activities are having a detrimental impact on the local community.”
Find out more about Knowsley’s Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order.