Public Space Protection Orders for Dogs Proposed Amendments and Extension 2022

Overview

Adur & Worthing Councils would like your views on the renewal and extension of Public Space Protection Order's (PSPOs) relating to dogs. The current dog related PSPOs expire on 17th December 2022 and we are now looking to renew them for a further three years until 18th December 2025.

In summary both Councils' dog related PSPOs currently cover:

Fouling of Land by Dogs:

• Requires dog owners to remove dog faeces immediately and this applies to any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access.

Dogs on Leads by Direction:

• Requires dog owners to put their dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. This applies to any public land where a dog is considered to be out of control or causing alarm and distress.

Dogs on Lead:

• Requires dogs to be kept on leads:
  • On all public roads, pavements and grass verges.
  • within cemeteries and allotments
  • specific seafront promenades and seafront gardens
  • specific memorial sites and nature reserves

Dogs Exclusion:

• Excludes dogs from:
• enclosed children's play areas
  • specific beaches at certain times of year
  • specific sporting or recreational facilities

Dogs (Specified Maximum):

• Specifies a maximum number of dogs (6) that can be taken onto land by one person.
• This applies to any land which is open to the air to which the public have access.

The PSPOs give authorised Officers of the Council the ability to prosecute for failing to comply with any of these Orders, where a fine not exceeding Level 3 (currently £1,000) on the standard scale can then be imposed by the Magistrates Court. We also have the ability to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 instead of prosecuting (provided the FPN is paid).

The PSPOs are one in a range of tools and powers used by the Councils to keep everyone who lives, works and visits Adur and Worthing safe. These powers are not intended to disrupt dog ownership and are used explicitly for addressing nuisance or annoyance associated with behaviours in public places.

It should be noted that without these PSPOs the Council has limited powers to address dog related problems.

For more information on the current PSPOs please see:

• Controlling your dog in public

What are the proposed changes?

Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council propose to amend and extend the existing Public Space Protection Orders for Dogs (PSPOs).

As part of the proposed changes we are seeking your views on the following:

Adur:

Adur Riverbank, off Brighton Road, Shoreham:

• Make the footpath a dog's on lead area as the path is very narrow
• Adur Riverbank map (1,180KB)

Adur Ferry Bridge, Shoreham:

• Make the footpath a dogs on lead area as this is part of the National Cycle Network
• Adur Ferry Bridge, Shoreham, map (982KB)

Lancing Beach Green:

• Add the play area and skate park as dog exclusion zones
• Lancing Beach Green map (965KB)

Worthing:

Beach House Park, Brighton Road, Worthing:

• Remove the northern bowling green from the dog exclusion area, change to dogs on leads
• This PSPO consultation will feed into wider feedback received about the park to inform future plans
• Beach House Park, Brighton Road, Worthing (1,385KB)

West Park Recreation Ground, Worthing Leisure Centre:

• Remove the north east corner from being part of the dog excluded area
• West Park Recreation Ground, Worthing Leisure Centre, map (1,252KB)

Goring Beach:

• Amend the northern boundary of the current exclusion area to remove the beach huts from the exclusion area
• Goring Beach map (901KB)

Heene Terrace, Worthing:

• Change in status from dogs excluded to dogs on lead
• Heene Terrace, Worthing, map (962KB)

Note: Due to the complex nature of the map documents above they cannot be accessibility checked.

We also propose to add to each PSPO a requirement for an individual to provide their personal details when being investigated for a possible PSPO offence, as follows:

“Any person approached by an authorised officer or constable in relation to any suspected breach of the terms of this Order shall provide details of that person's full legal name, date of birth, and address, when and if required to do so by any such authorised officer.”

Why have Adur & Worthing Councils proposed these changes?

To respond to residents changing requirements, to changes in legislation and to changes in the local infrastructure.

Tell us what you think ...

We are currently reviewing the PSPOs and would like to hear your views. Please complete the survey below and provide us with your feedback.

The consultation is open for six weeks.

Deadline for comments: 26th August 2022

Consultation form: PSPO for Dogs Proposed Amendments and Extension 2022

If you have any further questions, please email:

• publichealth.regulation@adur-worthing.gov.uk 
  with 'Dog PSPO Consultation' in the subject line

or write to:

• Public Health & Regulation, Adur & Worthing Councils, Portland House, 44 Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1HS

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