In 2021, West Northants Council received more than 230 complaints about dog fouling and dog control issues and, whilst the majority of dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some who are irresponsible.
WNC are keen to take measures to combat these problems and is proposing to use powers contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Act to give its enforcement officers powers to deal with dog owners who fail to properly control their dogs in public open spaces across the former Daventry and South Northants District areas.
Legally, they must have evidence to show the need for the Order. The activities controlled by the PSPO need to have had, or be likely to have, an unreasonable and detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and are, or are likely to be, persistent and continuing in nature. WNC have therefore launched a public consultation, which closes on Monday 4 April. The feedback received can form part of the evidence needed to draft and implement a new PSPO for the former Daventry and South Northants district areas.
Any PSPO made following this public consultation exercise will be reviewed in 2023.
You can access the consultation online here: Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation: ownership of dogs and prohibition of smoking in certain places. – West Northamptonshire Council – Citizen Space