Residents in Bolton are being asked to have their say on dog control public space protection orders as they are due for renewal.

Bolton Council currently has four Dog Control PSPOs which are due to expire in October and they are now asking people to share their views to help them decide whether or not to renew the dog control PSPOs.

They give the police and authorised officers of Bolton Council additional powers aimed at preventing nuisance caused by irresponsible dog owners or dog walkers.

These have been in place for some time – but the law requires Bolton Council to review, consult and renew the orders every three years.

Four Designated Public Protection Orders were originally granted in 2007 and became Public Spaces Protection Orders under the Anti-social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The four orders are:

  • The Dogs Exclusion PSPO
  • The Dogs on Leads PSPO
  • The Dogs on Leads by Direction PSPO
  • The Fouling of Land by Dogs PSPO

A PSPO can last up to three years, after which it must be reviewed. Following a review, the PSPO can be extended for a further three years.

There is no limit to the number of times a PSPO may be renewed.

Last time the council did this, 91 per cent of respondents were in favour of the PSPOs and they are now wanting feedback on the renewal of the PSPOs from residents, stakeholders, and visitors.

If the PSPOs are wanted, they will come into effect from October 20.

In regards to the Dogs Exclusion PSPO, a person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, they take the dog onto, or permits the dog to enter or remain on, any land which is a public space unless they have a reasonable excuse for doing so; or the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to their doing so.

The restriction will not apply to a person who is registered as a blind person, is deaf, or has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination, or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects.

In regard to the Dogs on Leads by Direction PSPO, if in force a person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, they do not comply with a direction given by an authorised officer of the authority to put and keep the dog on a lead of not more than 6 feet in length.

Unless they have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to their failing to do so.

The same also relates to Dogs on Leads PSPO whereby if a dog walker is in a public place and does not keep a dog on a lead of not more than 6 feet in length.

And finally in regard to the Fouling of Land by Dogs PSPO, if a dog defecates at any time on public space land and a person who is in charge of the dog at that time fails to remove the faeces from the land, that person will be guilty of an offence unless they have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to their failing to do so.

The restriction will not apply to a person who is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948; or has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination, or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of a dog trained by a prescribed charity and upon which he relies for assistance.

Speaking about the new consultation, Cllr Ryan Bamforth said: “At the moment it is coming across that people do agree with this on the whole, however, there are some exceptions with people wanting to make sure disability dogs can continue with their duties.

“Owners of dogs should be held responsible and on the whole responses seem quite positive because they don’t want dog fouling on the streets and they are happy something is being done but my only concern is if the council brings in these controls, who is going to enforce them?

“It’s all good bringing these measures in but we need to make sure no one is negatively affected by this including disability dogs.”

In terms of enforcement, according to Bolton Council, they have a dog warden as well as enforcement officers who have the power to enforce against dog fouling.

For more information on the survey and to take part, go to: dog control pspo (snapsurveys.com)

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.