New rules launched to enforce responsible dog ownership in Cardiff

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), designed to help improve public and green spaces, comes into effect across the city from Monday, October 4.

The PSPO, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, will allow Cardiff council to take action against dog owners who allow their pets to foul in an area of public land without cleaning up after them.

The Order, launched following a full consultation, also requires:

• Any person in charge of a dog to carry dog waste bags and produce them if requested by a Council or Police Officer;
• Dogs to be kept on a lead within all cemeteries owned and / or maintained by Cardiff council;
• Dogs are kept under proper control in public areas; and
• dogs are excluded from certain public spaces including children’s play areas and games areas.

If breached an authorised officer could issue a Fixed Penalty Notice up to £100 which could rise to £1,000 if left unpaid.

Councillor Peter Bradbury,Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said, “These commitments have been made following extensive consultation over three years relating to the dog controls.

“We received over 6,000 responses to the consultation, engaging directly with dog groups and vulnerable user groups to explain the controls allowing us to understand how best to manage concerns whilst not impacting on people’s lives and the well-being of their dogs.

“The dog controls will be exempt for persons who have a disability that affects the person’s mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of a dog trained by a registered charity and upon which the person relies for assistance.

“Dog control signage will be positioned across the city which will support the campaigns of ‘Child Friendly Cardiff’ and ‘Outdoor Cardiff’ to improve the city environment for children and promote the use of outdoor spaces across Cardiff for everyone.

“The majority of dog owners are responsible and do clean up after their dogs and we don’t want to prohibit them from enjoying the open spaces that Cardiff has to offer.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our responsible dog owners who clean up after their pet and emphasise the importance of carrying appropriate dog waste bags when out on a walk.”