Dog control orders renewed in Preston
Preston City Council has renewed the regulations, which list almost a dozen specific and general places where dogs must be leashed
Rules dictating where dogs must be kept on a lead in Preston will remain unchanged for the next three years – but some members of the public have called for the animals to be muzzled as well.
Preston City Council has renewed the regulations, which list almost a dozen specific and general places where pooches must be leashed – and seven others from which they are prohibited altogether.
They also give the authority’s officers the power to order owners to put their dogs on a lead in any area of the city if it is deemed necessary – and make it an offence for someone not to clean up after their canine companion if it defecates in a public space.
Cabinet members voted to keep the rules – in the form of public space protection orders (PSPOs) – in place following a public consultation over the summer.
The majority of respondents to that survey of opinion were in favour of retaining the current system, a version of which has been in operation since 2012.
However, a minority of the 139 respondents suggested changes, such as to the areas covered by the lead rules – which include Miller Park, Winckley Square Gardens and all public highways.
Several said the lead requirement should be extended to all parks across the city, claiming some owners have “zero recall” of their dogs.
A couple of others also demanded dogs be muzzled in the city’s green spaces, given that children are likely to be playing there.
In contrast, some responses suggested the ‘blanket’ lead rules were unnecessary in many places and should be limited to owners being ordered to leash their dogs only if they were out of control.
Multiple respondents to the consultation said the current regulations needed to be better enforced. The council this year took on a second dog control officer.
The city’s original dog control orders, introduced 14 years ago, were converted into PSPOs, as required by government legislation, in 2017. PSPOs have to be renewed every three years or the provisions they contain lapse.
This is the third time the council has approved an extension of the orders related to dogs.
Dos and don’ts for Preston dog owners
Under the renewed PSPOs, dogs are not allowed in:
***play areas;
***multi-use game areas and ball courts;
***bowling greens (except the perimeter footpaths);
***skate parks, BMX tracks or youth shelters;
***sports pitches when organised sporting activity is taking place;
***fountains, water features, ponds or ornamental lakes;
****cemetery or crematorium grounds (except the footpaths or highways within them).
Dogs have to be kept on a lead on or in:
***all vehicular highways (including footways and verges within the highway width);
***Miller Park;
***footpaths adjacent to and leading to and from Avenham Park pavilion;
***Japanese Garden in Avenham Park;
***Winckley Square Park;
***school fields and playgrounds;
***leisure centre grounds, including sports pitches;
***council owned cemeteries and crematoria;
***the Peace Garden at the junction of Friargate and Ringway;
***the Flag Market, Market Place;
***the city’s two covered markets.
Categories: Dog fouling Public safety
Authorities: Lancashire County Council