Leicestershire Parish Councils

Dog Control Orders - Summary (January 2009)

On the 31st December 2008 new dog control orders will come into force across the District of Blaby.
The actual Orders are listed below together with a description to what these new orders will mean to residents in their day to day lives.
The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Blaby) Order will mean that it will be an offence if anyone in charge of a dog, whether it belongs to them or not, fails to remove the dogs faeces should it foul in any public area within the District of Blaby. This includes parks, footpaths and also private land where public are permitted to have access. Offenders will be offered the opportunity to accept a Fixed Penalty Notice and pay a fine to discharge liability for the offence. If that person refuses the Fixed Penalty Notice or accepts but fails to pay the fine they could face prosecution and a fine of upto £1,000.
The Dogs on Lead by Direction (Blaby) Order will mean that it will be an offence if anyone in charge of a dog, whether it belongs to them or not, fails to put and keep the dog on a lead when requested to do so by an Authorised Officer of the Council. These powers will only be used if a dog is causing a nuisance, for instance a dog running loose in a park which is pestering other dogs or people or a dog running loose chasing wildlife or disturbing nesting birds. In a situation such as these an Officer will approach the person in charge of the dog, explain the law and the problem and request that the dog be placed on a lead for the remainder of its walk. If the request is complied with no further action will be taken however if that person refuses to place the dog on a lead they will have committed an offence. Again the offender will be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice as with fouling but should they fail to accept or fail to pay the fine they could face prosecution and a fine of upto £1,000.
The Dogs Exclusion (Blaby) Order will mean that it will be an offence if anyone in charge of a dog, whether it belongs to them or not, allows the dog to enter any enclosed childrens play area within the District of Blaby. The penalties for this offence are the same as the other two Orders and the offender would be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice, failure to accept or pay could, again, result in a prosecution and fine of upto £1,000.
We feel that these Orders will not affect most responsible dog owners within the District but will give Officers more power to deal with minor nuisances and safety issues. Hopefully the whole District will benefit from this new legislation.
Over the next few weeks there will be many new signs erected around the District relating to these new Orders and prior to the 31st December copies of the Orders will also be placed around the District to ensure that everyone knows about the new laws.
Contact us
Officer/Team: Environmental Health
Email: environmental.health@blaby.gov.uk

Telephone: 0116 272 7555
Address: Blaby District Council
Council Offices
Desford Road
Narborough
Leicester LE19 2EP
If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, or translated (written or verbal), let us know when you contact us.

Dog Ban on Pitches Removed (August 2008)

A letter dated 10 July 2008 from Blaby District Council was received at the last Plans & Environment Meeting. The Senior Dog Warden confirmed confirmed that the Dog Exclusion Order would be amended to remove the exculsion of dogs from marked sports areas.

Dogs Exclusion(Blaby)Order 2008 (Update 27/6/08)

Many representations were received from local residents concerned that the sports area restriction would effectively ban dogs from some open spaces. Also concerns over enforceability.

We understand that Blaby District Council now intend to proceed with

* An order effectively banning dogs from all enclosed children's play areas within the District (MARKED SPORTS AREAS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THIS ORDER)

* Dogs on lead by Direction Order to be adopted.

Timetable :-

September/October 2008 - New signage to be erected around the District
November/December 2008 - Publish new orders and commencement dates in local newspaper. Place copy orders around the District in relevant locations

Dog Control Orders considered at Plan & Enviornment Committee on 22nd May 2008

Over 20 members of the public attended the meeting to express their concerns in connection with the proposed orders. It was agreed later in the meeting that the Chairman would raise the issues at the next meeting of the Parish Councils Open Spaces Consutative Meeting due to be held at Blaby District Council Offices on 10th June 2008.

Proposed Dog Control Orders

Dog Control Orders
Summary
Blaby District Council is proposing to bring in new powers to fine dog owners who fail to control their pets properly in public, as part of legislation to encourage responsible dog ownership.

Dog Control Orders, which form part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, would allow Authorised Officers of the Council to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices to dog owners who fail to clear up their pets faeces, allow them in restricted areas* or don't put them on a lead when they are instructed to do so.

They are designed to balance the interests of people affected by the actions of dogs, such as children who need access to playgrounds and parks away from dogs, with the interests of dog owners who need access to areas where they can exercise their pets without undue restrictions.

* RESTRICTED AREAS - A person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if at any time he/she takes the dog onto an enclsed childrens play area, marked out sports pitches etc.

Further information
Notice of Consultation
Dog Control Orders will replace the previous system on byelaws for the control of dogs and repeal both byelaws and designations under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.

Any representations on the proposed orders must be submitted in writing to the address below by 31st May 2008:

Blaby District Council
Council Offices
Desford Road
Narborough
Leicester
LE19 2EP

Alternatively representations can be emailed to environmental.health@blaby.gov.uk by 31st May 2008.