Dog Control Orders Agree with them or not, they are now in effect - to avoid a £1000 fine best to know the rules! North Down Borough Council has enacted new Dog Control Orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. These Orders introduce certain additional controls over dogs in public places and aim to deal more effectively with dog fouling, nuisance dogs and the protection of children and others using our public spaces. The Orders will come into operation on the 1st May 2013. An overview of each of the new Orders is provided below: 1. Fouling of land by Dogs Order This order will apply to all land which is open to the air (classified as being open to the air on at least one side) and will require anyone in charge of a dog which fouls, to clean it up immediately. The order shall not apply to registered blind or partially sighted persons or someone who has a disability affecting their mobility, manual dexterity or physical coordination. 2. Dog Exclusion (Playgrounds) Order Under this order, a person in charge of a dog will be guilty of an offence if they take their dog into, or permit it to enter, any of the playgrounds specified in the order. 3. Dogs on Leads (Promenades and Gardens) Order Dogs will be required to be walked on a lead in certain parks, promenades and piers. There will also be a maximum length of lead that can be used on a dog in these areas – it is proposed that this will be two metres. 4. Dogs on Leads (Beaches) Order This order will apply to parts of Ballyholme and Groomsport beaches from 1 June to 31 August each year and between the hours of 11am and 8pm. Dog owners will be required to keep their dogs on a lead (maximum length two metres) on these beaches and during the times stated in the order. 5. Dogs on leads by direction (Parks & Playing Fields) Order In specified parks and playing fields, a dog owner may be required to place their dog onto a lead by an authorised officer of the Council. If the officer believes that such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other persons or the worrying or disturbance of any animal. Copies of the Orders, including details of where they apply, are attached. Penalties The maximum penalty for breaching a Dog Control Order will be a fine of up to £1,000 or the offence may be dealt with by way of a Fixed Penalty fine of £80; this fine will be reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 06:11:18 +0000
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