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Dog Control PSPO - FAQs


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.

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.

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.
Answer:
  • To the whole of London borough of Tower Hamlets

 

Answer:

Dog poo should be picked up and put into a dog poo bag and put into any general waste bin on the street or in parks. You must take the dog poo with you and must not leave it somewhere until the end of your walk.  If you cannot find a bin, you must take the dog waste home with you.

Answer:

Dogs need to be on a lead on roads, pavements, car parks, estate roads and 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.

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.

Answer:

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

Answer:

One person can walk up to 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.

Answer:
  • If you are a professional dog walker, you may apply for a professional dog walking licence. However, the maximum number of dogs you can walk at any one time with a professional dog walker’s licence is six. One person will not be able to walk more than six dogs at any one time even with a professional dog walker’s licence.
  • If you are not a professional dog walker, you will need to make alternative arrangements. For example, ensuring there is more than one responsible adult per four dogs or walking dogs on a rota.
Answer:

Evidence suggests that the maximum number of dogs that the average adult can safely handle at any one time is four. To obtain a professional dog walker’s licence you/your business must show evidence of adequate insurance, skills and experience to safely walk up to six dogs at any one time.

Answer:

No. The Professional Dog Walker licence allows for the walking of five or six dogs at any one time. If you will not walk more than four dogs at any one time, you will not need to obtain a Professional Dog Walker licence.

Answer:

A breach of a PSPO without a reasonable excuse is an offence. You will be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) if you do not comply with the PSPO when asked by an Enforcement Officer, or if you have failed to clean up after your dog. If not paid, you may be prosecuted, for which the maximum penalty is a fine of £1,000.

Answer:

The PSPO lasts for three years at which point the council will decide whether to discharge or renew it in consultation with residents. 

Answer:

Assistance dog users may be exempt from such prohibitions. Exemption applies to blind people and people with a physical or mental disability who use a dog for assistance, which has been trained to assist a person with a disability.

Assistance Dogs and the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 defines an assistance dog as:

(a) a dog which has been trained to guide a blind person;

(b) a dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person;

(c) a dog which has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person’s mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects;

(d) a dog which has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than one falling within paragraph (c)) of a prescribed kind.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission states that assistance dogs:

  • are highly trained
  • will not wander freely around the premises
  • will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to its owner and are trained to go to the toilet on command and so are unlikely to foul in a public place
  • most are instantly recognisable by the harness or identifying dog jacket they wear they wear, although this is not a legal requirement.

Dog walking guide online