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Public Space Protection Orders for the Control of Dogs

East Staffordshire Borough Council takes a 'Zero Tolerance' approach to dog related issues across the Borough.

Our Community and Civil Enforcement Team work hard to both speak to and educate the public on various dog related issues, in addition to enforcing where necessary.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), previously Dog Control Orders, give the Police and Local Authority extra powers to control dog related anti-social behaviour.

East Staffordshire Borough Council have introduced five conditions which can be seen in the table below. Three of these apply to the whole of the East Staffordshire Borough, whereas the other two are for specific areas.

One condition which applies to the whole of the East Staffordshire Borough is 'failure to provide a receptacle to pick up dog faeces'. A person who is in charge of a dog has to carry a receptacle for picking up dog faeces.

A 'receptacle' is defined as any poop-scoop bag capable of holding faeces that can be Thrown in a litter bin.

You can find more information regarding the Public Space Protection Order for the Control of Dogs using the links below:

Public Space Protection Order Conditions

PSPO Condition PSPO Location
Failure to remove dog faeces. Across the whole of the East Staffordshire Borough.
Failure to provide a receptacle to pick up dog faeces. Across the whole of the East Staffordshire Borough.
Failure to keep a dog on a lead in a PSPO area, where dogs are required to be on a lead. Site specific. Please refer to the table below.
Failure to keep a dog out of a PSPO area, where dogs are excluded. Site specific. Please refer to the table below.
Failure to put and keep a dog on a lead when instructed. Across the whole of the East Staffordshire Borough.

You can find more information regarding the Public Space Protection Order for the Control of Dogs using the links below:

Download the Public Space Protection Order

Validity of Orders

Find the Public Space Protection Order Near You

What is a receptacle?

A 'receptacle' is defined as any poop-scoop bag or the equivalent capable of holding faeces for disposal in a litter bin.

Can Community And Civil Enforcement Officers ask to see my dog bags?

Yes. Under Section 68 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, East Staffordshire Borough Council has implemented a borough wide Public Space Protection Order. As a person who is in charge of a dog, this requires you to carry a suitable receptacle for picking up dog faeces. A suitable receptacle is defined as any poop-scoop bag or the equivalent capable of holding faeces for disposal in a litter bin. If you are unable to produce a suitable receptacle when requested by a Community and Civil Enforcement Officer, or similarly choose not to, you will be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice. If left unpaid this will be escalated to the Magistrates Court.

As a person who is in charge of a dog, how many dog bags should I carry?

The simplest answer is ‘plenty’. The Public Space Protection Order does not specify how many dog bags you should carry on your person. However it does state that if you are unable to produce a suitable receptacle when requested by a Community and Civil Enforcement Officer, or similarly choose not to, you will be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice. If left unpaid this will be escalated to the Magistrates Court. Therefore ‘Don’t Get Caught Short’ take plenty.

PSPO, The Consultation and Challenges

East Staffordshire Borough Council is keen to promote and help create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for all to ‘love where you live’.

Public Space Protection Orders can be introduced for a maximum of three years and can be extended beyond this for a further three year period.

The Council, as the Local Authority has reviewed its Public Space Protection Order(s) (PSPO) under these Government guidelines and the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Consultation Period

As such a seven week consultation period was undertaken, involving Councillors, Parish Councils, Police, associated agencies, residents and users of the public space.

As a result additions, changes and deletions to the existing PSPO’s for both dog control and alcohol were consulted on and implemented.

PSPOs can be challenged under the Act on the grounds that the local authority did not have the power either to make the Order or include particular prohibitions or requirements, or that proper processes had not been followed as prescribed by the legislation.

Challenges must be made to the High Court within six weeks of the Order being made, and by an individual who lives in, regularly works in or visits the restricted area.

The High Court can uphold, quash or vary the PSPO and may decide to suspend the operation of the PSPO pending the verdict.

As with all orders and powers, the making of a PSPO can be challenged by judicial review on public law grounds within three months of the decision or action subject to challenge.