Mid Sussex District Council is running a six week public consultation from Monday 3 July 2017 to find out what local people think about dog control measures in Mid Sussex.
Mid Sussex has a number of Dog Control Orders in place to protect the local environment and deter irresponsible dog ownership. However, the current Orders expire later this year and Mid Sussex District Council will be replacing them with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in October.
The Council is proposing a simple transfer of all existing powers under the Dog Control Orders over to the new PSPOs. The only proposed change is to extend the Maximum Number of Dogs (6) Order to all Council owned nature reserves, adjoining land and some of the larger recreation grounds.
“With the legal transfer of Dog Control Orders taking place in October, this is the perfect time to talk to us about dog control,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “We’re keen to hear from everyone, so please use this consultation as an opportunity to let us know if you like the current arrangements or if there’s anything you would like to change.”
The majority of dog owners in Mid Sussex are responsible, pick up their dogs’ mess and keep them under proper control. However, there is a small minority who don’t and this can create problems. The Public Space Protection Orders enable fixed penalty notices to be issued by an authorised officer when they see an offence occur. These are set at £75 or £50 if paid within 10 days.
The proposed Public Space Protection Orders will cover:
• Fouling of Land by Dogs
In order to reduce the amount of dog fouling in Mid Sussex, owners are required to clean up their dogs’ mess. This order is applied to any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access.
• Dog Exclusion
To prevent people or the dogs themselves being injured as a result of sharing activity space, dogs should be excluded from all fenced children’s play areas and fenced recreational areas such as tennis courts, bowling greens and multi activity areas owned by Mid Sussex District Council.
• Dogs on Lead by Direction
In order to stop a loose dog disrupting sporting or community events or disturbing local wildlife, dogs must be placed on a lead if requested to do so by an authorised officer. This order applies to Mid Sussex District Council owned land on which formal sports and community events regularly take place, and all designated nature reserves.
• Dogs Specified Maximum Amount (6)
The number of dogs one person can take onto Council nature reserves or selected large parks should be restricted to six.
The consultation will be available to view at the Mid Sussex District Council Reception or on the Council’s website www.midsussex.gov.uk/dogcontrolconsultation for six weeks starting on Monday 3 July 2017.
