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Fenland District Council seeks to extend order banning dogs from some areas
Fenland District Council (FDC) is asking residents for their views on whether failing to pick up after your dog or keeping it under control should be considered a punishable offence. The council has launched a public consultation survey, running throughout June, with questions including: “Do you agree that a person who is seen to not pick up a dog’s fouling shall receive the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice of £100?”
And: “Do you agree that the Council should take to Court for a prosecution, the person who has been issued a fine that they have not paid?” The penalty for failing to pick up after your dog or put it on a lead when instructed by an authorised council officer would be in force throughout every public space in Fenland which is open air on at least one side. But penalties for failing to keep dogs on leads at all times or walking them in a place from which they’re excluded would only apply in specific areas covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which gives the council extra enforcement powers.
FDC has had a dog-related PSPO, which expires every three years, since 2017; it’s next up for renewal in October 2023. It says it wants to keep the PSPO in place, but is also “keen to hear from residents, businesses, local community groups and visitors” about their views.
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You can answer the council’s 10–question survey here: www.fenland.gov.uk/consultations Under the current order, dogs must be on leads – and the leads must be 5m or less – in several named churchyards and cemeteries in Fenland (e.g. March and Whittlesey’s Gardens of Rest) as well as a handful of other spots.
These are: Huntingdon Road and Larham Way in Chatteris; North Green and South Green in Coates; Alberts Drive, Nightall Drive, Robingoodfellows Lane and The Avenue in March, Tower Close in Whittlesey and Burcroft Road, Heron Road and Jasmine Close in Wisbech.
Dogs are, meanwhile, excluded altogether from some cemeteries, roads and parks, including Benwick High Street, Wenny Road in Chatteris, West End Park in March, Snowley Park in Whittlesey and Wisbech Park.
Maps of all the places the PSPO is in force (as well as lists of all the spots dogs must either be on leads or are excluded altogether) can also be found on the council’s website: The PSPO does make some allowances, though; for instance, people with specific disabilities including those who are registered blind won’t be fined for failing to pick up after their dog, nor will people who are not near their dog and may not know that they need to do so.
People may also have a “reasonable excuse” for not picking up after their dog or having it on a lead, or they may have permission to have it off the lead from the landowner. FDC says that “without a PSPO in place, we would not be able to take any enforcement action” to address the “irresponsible behaviour from a small minority of dog owners”. It adds that the PSPO ensures public spaces are “safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone”.
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