Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control

The Taking the Lead consultation

We are taking the lead to encourage responsible dog ownership in the Borough. Whilst most owners act considerately, a minority do not always do so.

The Council consulted residents on proposed changes to the previous Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) from 19 November 2018 to 14 January 2019. These would give the Council greater powers to enable more responsible dog ownership.

Over 1100 residents took part in the consultation, many of them dog owners. As a result of their feedback we:

• Removed a proposal to issue an on the spot fine if dog walkers did not have a means to pick up litter.
• Removed a proposed extension to the dog exclusion zone on Hill Head beach.
• Removed the requirement for dogs be kept on leads at Cliff Road Promenade.
• Created a more flexible and inclusive definition of people who are exempt from the Order so it includes more people who rely on assistance dogs. 

How long have we had a PSPO?

• In 2016 we introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle dog fouling alongside our 'Take the Oops out of Poops' publicity campaign. This order expired in March 2019.
• Following the Taking the Lead consultation, the Council's Executive authorised an amended PSPO on 4 March 2019, to further extend these powers for three more years. The PSPO (5 MB) came into force on 1 April 2019.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control

The amended PSPO allows Authorised Council Officers to:

• Issue a fixed penalty notice (on the spot fine) to owners who do not clear up after a dog has fouled.
• Direct people to put their dogs on leads if they are causing a nuisance.
• Issue an on the spot fine to owners whose dogs are off the lead in the following sensitive areas (Click on the text to see a map of restrictions).
  • Any cemetery or churchyard
  • Westbury Manor Museum Garden
  • Sensory Garden of Reflection, Osborn Road
  • The paths by Holly Hill Play Area
  • Holly Hill Woodland Park - on the footpath next to the lakes and the land between that footpath and the lakes
  • Part of Coldeast Open Space
  • Parts of Abbey Meadows, Titchfield
  • Burridge Pond
  • Salterns Road Promenade, Hill Head
  • Any Sites for Special Scientific Interest ("SSI") including Portchester Common.
• Issue an on the spot fine to owners whose dogs are in the following areas where dogs are excluded:
  • All fenced in Play Areas
  • Holly Hill Play Area
  • Abbey Meadows Play Area
  • Salterns Road Beach (between 1 May and 30 September)

The PSPO also:

• Limits the number of dogs one person can walk in public to four.

None of the proposed powers and restrictions apply to people who:

• Are registered blind or deaf.
• Have a physical or mental impairment which impacts on their normal day-to-day activities and who rely on an assistance dog.
• Are members of Assistance Dogs UK, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People or any other charity registered in the UK who rely on or are training assistance dogs.

Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)

A fixed penalty notice is an on the spot notice. Irresponsible dog owners could be fined £100 for not complying with the terms of the PSPO. If you fail to pay, it can lead to further sanctions, including fines of up to £2,500 for each offence.

Find out more

• Professional Dog Walkers' Guidelines (5 MB) produced by the Dogs Trust, and RSPCA.
• Responsible dog ownership: Visit our dedicated dog control webpage to find out more about how to be responsible with a dog and report lost dogs in the Fareham borough.
• Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN): Visit our Fixed Penalty Notice webpage about litter and dog fouling.
• Dog walking in Hampshire: Visit the Dog Walking webpage  to find out more about dog walking in Hampshire County Council's countryside parks and sites. Zones are a simple way of showing people where dogs can exercise on and off lead. There is also an online map  showing dog friendly zones.