News Have your say on dog control measures

Measures to encourage more dog owners to be responsible are being consulted on by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), so don’t miss the opportunity to have your say.

A survey is now open and will run until 6 August asking people for their views on a range of new ‘Public Space Protection Orders’ to make dog owners keep their dogs under control.

In order to encourage responsible dog ownership, the existing Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control outlines a number of measures to protect council public spaces and the community.

MBC proposes to either continue or introduce measures and requirements which will challenge irresponsible owners as follows:

Current measures and requirements

• Measure 1 - The offence of dog fouling including a requirement for persons in charge of a dog on public land to remove their dogs faeces.
• Measure 2 - Exclusion of dogs from all children’s play areas, whether they are fenced or open, play areas, and tennis courts.
• Measure 3 – Keep dogs on leads at both the Sutton Road Cemetery and at the Vinters Park Crematorium.
• Measure 4 - The requirement for a person in charge of a dog to comply with a request from an authorised officer to put a dog on a lead when the dog is causing danger or concern.
• Measure 5 - The offence of failing to keep a dog under proper control, such as harming other animals or straying.
• Requirement for a person to give their name and address to an authorised officer when requested to do so.
• A fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100, the maximum laid out in the legislation, for all the measures .

Changes to measures

• Introduce a new measure requiring those in charge of a dog to be to able demonstrate means of removing faeces (carry a bag or equivalent).
• Extend measure 3, the requirement to keep dogs on leads, to cover Maidstone Town Centre.
• Introduce a new measure limiting the number of dogs walked by one person at any one time.

Cllr Claudine Russell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts at MBC said:

“Every three years we are required to review our Public Space Protection Orders and to consult with our residents and partners on the measures proposed. Maidstone is home to thousands of responsible dog owners who exercise their pets across the borough. However, not all dog owners are responsible and we believe that irresponsible dog ownership is not limited to whether an owner cleans up after their dog.

“These new proposals will ensure officers have the appropriate powers to challenge irresponsible owners and protect our beautiful borough as a clean and safe place to live in.”

Failure to comply with these orders could result in Fixed Penalty Notices up to £100, or prosecution for irresponsible dog owners who fail to adhere to these measures.

The survey should take around six minutes to complete. To take part please visit the consultation page on Maidstone.gov.uk website or click on the following link: https://LetsTalkMaidstone.uk.engagementhq.com/dog-control-pspo-2023-review

The results of the survey will be discussed at the Housing and Environment Committee which is due to take place on 7 September 2023.

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