Press Release

28 February 2022

Have your say on responsible dog ownership

Fareham Borough Council is keen to encourage and promote responsible dog ownership within the Borough and would like to hear residents’ views on whether to continue to put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

While most dog owners act considerately, a small number do not always do so and complaints about dog fouling and nuisance behaviour are regularly made to the Council.

The Council received overwhelming support from the public when additional powers to tackle nuisance behaviour were originally consulted on in 2018. The current version of the PSPO has now been in place for three years and needs to be renewed so that the Council can continue to support responsible dog owners and ensure open spaces remain clean and safe for all to use.

We now need to consult again to enable authorised Council officers to continue to issue a fixed penalty notice to irresponsible dog owners*.

The consultation will close on Friday 25 March, and you can have your say here: https://www.fareham.gov.uk/have_your_say/consultation/takingtheleadonresponsibledogownership2022

Executive Member for Health and Public Protection at Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Trevor Cartwright, said: “While we are a Borough of dog lovers, we must accept responsibility for our pets and clean up behind them. This Public Spaces Protection Order will allow the Council to continue to fine irresponsible dog owners and I encourage residents to have their say and take part in this consultation.”

* None of the proposed powers and restrictions will apply to people who rely on assistance dogs or is registered blind.

ENDS