Council signals crackdown on dog fouling and anti-social owners

Signs are going up to remind people of Cheshire East Council's new beefed-up powers to crack down on dog fouling and dog control – to help keep our parks, nature reserves and open spaces pleasant for all.

It follows overwhelming public support for tougher controls put forward by the council during its recent borough-wide consultation.

The council introduced the new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on 1 November 2017, specifically to tackle dog fouling and dog control across the borough.

New signs are now being installed across parks, nature reserves and open spaces to remind everyone of the new rules and to warn dog owners they could be fined for failing to pick up after their dog or keep their dog under control.

Fiona Reynolds, director of public health for Cheshire East, said: "We want everyone to enjoy the Cheshire East countryside and make the most of our beautiful parks, nature reserves and open spaces this spring.

"To ensure areas are safe and clean for everyone to use, we have to be strict about asking dog owners to keep their dogs under control and to pick up after their dog. Failing to do this could see dog owners fined between £100 and £1,000 under the new Public Spaces Protection Order.

"Most people are very responsible when walking their dogs and are happy to keep to these simple rules and we thank them for helping us to maintain pleasant green spaces for all to enjoy."

The main features of the PSPO allow the council to:

● Tackle those that fail to pick up after their dog in all public places within Cheshire East borough;
● Allow authorised officers to tell a dog owner/walker to put – and keep – their dog on a lead if necessary. For example, if their dog was showing aggressive behaviour; and
● Issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100. A failure to pay the FPN may lead to prosecution and a potential maximum fine of £1,000, as would more serious breaches of the PSPO.

Cheshire East Council has a statutory duty to keep land clear of litter and refuse (including dog fouling) and a duty of care for dealing with waste.

The authority also has a duty to take action against irresponsible individuals who fail to clear up after their dogs on land which is open to the public. Not only is dog mess highly unpleasant, it is also a hazard to health – particularly to young children. Roundworm eggs found in dog mess (toxocara canis) can easily be picked up by children. This causes stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and, in some cases, blindness.

Introducing the PSPO last November allowed the council to replace and extend the existing dog controls and byelaws to give a consistent approach across the borough to dog fouling and introduce dog control requirements to encourage responsible dog ownership and ensure that everyone is able to enjoy our publicly-accessible open areas, woodland, heath land, country parks and public spaces safely.

A national survey found 95 per cent of Britons are worried about the amount of dog fouling. The council recognises that most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pets but a small minority continue to cause problems.

Click here to see the full details of the public space protection order.

Tags:
Cheshire East Council
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Howard Piltz
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 1:31 pm
Many companies congratulations CEC, but putting up signs and blowing hot-and-cold is a one thing, policing it is a whole new ball game and way beyond the Council's means.
Sally Hoare
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 1:53 pm
It’s not just picking it up, it’s disposing of it correctly as well. Wilmslow Cleanteam fins dog poo bags flung into the undergrowth or hung on trees every time we go out.
DELETED ACCOUNT
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 3:49 pm
Someone should have vetted that picture. Two have 2 old people, both male, with their dogs and a young male enforcement officer is not an appropriate message. All ages, nationalities and both men and women walk dogs.
Ryan Dance
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 4:06 pm
Oh please Jackie. I know we don’t agree on much.

But you are seriously having a laugh with this comment?
DELETED ACCOUNT
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 7:36 pm
Oh please Ryan.

Perhaps I should sign you up for effective communication training. It's not rocket science, but then again......
Euan Macpherson
Saturday 10th March 2018 at 9:56 pm
Please also clamp down on those who bag their poo and leave the bag lying there, sometimes hung on trees or fences, for everyone else to look at! Bag it, carry it with you and bin it!
—— Rant over
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 7:45 am
Agree with Ryan. What a silly comment.
Marc Staples
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 9:06 am
I also agree with Ryan what a silly comment Jackie!

I looked at the picture and actually thought that people may think the man being spoken to was a offender and they could have put something underneath to say it was for illustration purposes only
Jonathan Cundall
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 10:17 am
The chap with the springs spaniel and glasses is the countryside manager for cheshire east council.
Sandra Cox
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 12:22 pm
I don't think Jackie's comment was silly and I notice the three people who said it was are men. I wonder if they would have said the same if a man had made the comment? The picture is confusing so why is saying so silly?
Jon Armstrong
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 1:40 pm
Why is it confusing?
Ryan Dance
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 1:54 pm
The picture is depicting two dog walkers and a warden. What exactly is confusing about this?

I’ve read some bizarre and comical commentary on here over the years. This one and the preceding posts are now added to that list.

Have a nice day.
Guy Beardsley
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 2:59 pm
I saw an official talking to a dog owner. The photo dipicts a discussion on the new rules. I did not notice the sex or race of either. For the people that did, what does this say about them?
Guy Beardsley
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 7:50 pm
On reflection I am outraged. The second photo shows two black men walking black dogs. This sort of racist communication should be stamped out
Pete Taylor
Sunday 11th March 2018 at 9:23 pm
Move along please... nothing to see here.
Mark Russell
Monday 12th March 2018 at 9:38 am
As a white male my self i am disgusted in this racial stereotyping. I want a government inquiry into this blatant racism!! (I blame brexit)
Nick Jones
Monday 12th March 2018 at 11:49 am
Nice to know humour carries ! ( well nearly !! )
Alan Brough
Monday 12th March 2018 at 1:41 pm
I think I might have been offended......is there a helpline I can ring to check?
Tony Haluradivth
Monday 12th March 2018 at 7:33 pm
Ryan Dance merely comes on here to goad and provoke folk and he clearly likesto hone in on one innocent lady. (These are merely my own observations) Jackie I think you hold your own against him very well however I find some of his posts to be not very funny and he almost seeks you out to target. So perhaps Wilmslow.co.uk can remind dear Mr Dance about the commenting rules
Fiona Doorbar
Monday 12th March 2018 at 7:56 pm
Jackie/Sandra....I am with the fellas on this one. Get real!
Ryan Dance
Monday 12th March 2018 at 9:05 pm
Thanks for your kind comments Tony. I do not goad, provoke or hone in anyone. I offer an alternative view. Tough if you don’t like it.

My comments are to the point, direct and often oppositional to some commentators. Sadly we cannot all agree on every subject.

Lisa has the last say on what is published. She does an excellent job in letting local debate / discussion flourish.
Fiona Doorbar
Tuesday 13th March 2018 at 7:35 am
It was Jackie who posted her comment first on this thread!!!
Nick Jones
Tuesday 13th March 2018 at 8:14 am
Only a matter of time before CEC builds on this anyway........ Dog Fouling problem solved.. !! .. Concrete over Green Spaces (COGS) brigade Happy !
Tuesday 13th March 2018 at 4:55 pm
Another comment with no relevance to the story here.
John Featherstone
Wednesday 14th March 2018 at 8:09 pm
what a load of old codswallop c e c nothing better to do than making up rules about dog poo and dogs off the leads dear me the mind boggles at such a bunch of numpties with nothing better to do
Marcia McGrail
Friday 16th March 2018 at 11:33 am
95% polled disagree with you, John...do you really resent doing anything about stepping (me)/slipping (anyone)/falling (child) into such rancid gloop? Would you wait until we are knee deep in the gross stuff before action? I am glad you're not in charge.
Kathryn Blackburn
Sunday 8th April 2018 at 4:58 pm
Obviously Ryan you do not know your ageist law - Jackie however being both cerebral and as on the ball as ever does. The council is legally obliged not to publically display ageism and also to be gender neutral.
That photograph clearly breaks both rules. Jackie is merely pointing that out to any interested parties. One of which be I. CEC legal department take note.
Pete Taylor
Sunday 8th April 2018 at 8:37 pm
I have a feeling that Ryan will not be troubling us with his opinions for much longer- enjoy Leeds. Please give our regards to Mr Pink.
Ryan Dance
Monday 9th April 2018 at 5:35 am
Pete - sorry to disappoint you. I’m here for the long haul.

It’s a shame a large bunch of my fellow contributors are leaving in droves. Wilmslow is such a horrid place to live.