FAQ

What is a PSPO?

Answer:: The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced PSPOs as a way for Local Authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour. PSPOs can prohibit specified activities, and/or require certain things to be done by people engaged in particular activities within a defined space. PSPOs can be introduced when behaviour is affecting or likely to affect the quality of life for people in the area, is persistent and is unreasonable.

What are the dog control PSPO conditions?

Answer:

1. Dog fouling: Dog walkers must immediately remove their dog’s faeces from land within Tower Hamlets that is open and accessible to the public.

2. Dog exclusion order: Dogs must not enter the following areas:

Gated children’s playgrounds
Gated sports area such as sports courts, multi-use games areas, tennis courts

These are spaces within a park, open space or housing estate and which are fully or substantially enclosed and set apart for the use by children as a playground or other area for play or for sporting activities.

3. Dogs on leads order: Dogs must be on a lead on:

Roads
pavements
car parks
estate roads and communal areas on estates

4. Dogs on leads by direction order: Authorised council officers have the power to request that dogs are put on leads where they are not under the appropriate control of their owner, or where they are causing damage or acting aggressively.

5. Dog limit: It is an offence for any one person to have more than four dogs under their control at any given time.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements is a criminal offence.

The full dog control PSPO can be found on the council’s website.

Why are these dog control PSPO restrictions necessary?

Answer:

While the majority of dog walkers are responsible, unfortunately there is an irresponsible minority who don’t pick up after their dog or allow their dogs to run out of control.
The restrictions are designed to ensure that all Tower Hamlets residents and visitors can enjoy our public spaces. Some people may feel scared and intimidated by dogs. This can particularly be the case around children or if walking groups of dogs.
We consulted widely on introducing dog control PSPO over the summer in 2024. Responses showed support for the introduction of the PSPO to address safety concerns and disruptive behaviour, including uncontrolled dog walking and dog fouling.

Where does the dog control PSPO apply?

Answer:

To the whole of London borough of Tower Hamlets

Where do my dogs need to be on a lead?

Answer:: Dogs need to be on a lead on roads, pavements, car parks, estate roads and communal areas on estates

My dog is small / my dog is friendly, why can't I walk it off a lead on footpaths, highways and in communal areas on estates?

Answer:: We cannot tailor the rules to suit every size and type of dog, so we have made a sensible general rule for everyone to follow. This rule not only makes people feel safer, but also prevents a dog being involved in or causing a road traffic accident.

Will the PSPO stop me from exercising my dog off of a lead?

Answer:: No. Dogs can be exercised freely in parks and open spaces (except for gated children’s playgrounds and gated sports areas) as long as they are still under the control of the owner.

Where are my dogs excluded from?

Answer:: Dogs are only excluded from all gated children’s playgrounds and all gated sports areas.

How many dogs can one person walk at a time?

Answer:: One person can walk up to four dogs at any one time.

Why should professional dog walkers need a license to walk more than four dogs at any one time?

Answer:: Evidence suggests that this is the maximum number of dogs that the average adult could be expected to control at any one time. This PSPO order has been introduced for public safety.

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