Dog Control Orders came into force across Ashfield from 29th November 2010

View the Public Notice here (pdf)

Ashfield District Council is committed to making our environment cleaner, safer and greener and tackling environmental related offences plays a significant role in this.

The Council recently undertook consultation with all residents across Ashfield following the levels of complaints related to dogs and dog fouling across the district to allow the public and especially children access to dog free or dog controlled areas intended for recreational purposes, to reduce the potential health implications associated with dog faeces and to promote responsible dog ownership.

The consultation related to introducing Dog Control Orders which included:

1. Keeping a dog on a lead.
2. Failing to remove dog faeces.
3. Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.
4. The exclusion of dogs from land.
5. The number of dogs which a person may take on to any land.

In accordance with the Dog Control Orders (Procedures) Regulations 2006, a Public Notice was published in the Chad and the Dispatch local newspapers summarising the orders on 7 July and 9 July 2010.

Copies of the proposed orders and plans were available for inspection, free of charge throughout the consultation period in each of the Council Offices in Hucknall, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and at Selston Parish Council Office.

This public notice, proposed orders and maps could be viewed on the Council website, follow up articles relating to this topic were circulated in the local press and there was additional coverage on the radio through interviews.

The consultation commenced 7 July 2010 covering 44 days (the minimum period for consultation is 28 days) from the date of the notice appearing in the Chad newspaper.

The Council is required to take into account all representations received during this period.

Ashfield District Council received responses from 49 individuals/organisations via telephone, web/e-mail, letter or in person during the consultation period. 44 responses were from individual residents and 5 on behalf of organisations. 49 seperate responses were received however many of those received supported and objected to different elements of the Dog Control Orders and a number raised additional queries within their feedback to the Council. This is broken down as follows;

• 4 objections were received relating to all/any of the Dog Control Orders
• 19 objections were received relating to some of the Dog Control Orders
• 16 responses supported some or all of the Dog Control Orders
• 16 responses included or raised queries and further clarification was provided
• 5 reponses were more general queries raised due to the consultation period i.e.2 related to reporting uncontrolled dogs, 1 reported dog fouling and asked for more publicity on enforcement action against dog fouling, 1 asked for the consultation to be extended.

The bulk of representations concerned the Council's proposal to have dogs on a lead in particular parks or recreation spaces and related to three specific areas in particular including, Selston Golf Course, Titchfield Park, Kirkby and Healdswood Park, Sutton.

Following responses to the consultation and approval by Cabinet residents will be pleased to know there will be a district wide order in place for;

• Failing to remove dog faeces.
• Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.
• The number of dogs which a person may take on to any land.

The Council took into consideration all of the responses received and further to the district wide orders it was agreed orders would be introduced;

• Keeping a dog on a lead with a maximum lead lenth of 5 metres.
• The exclusion of dogs from land.

In brief dogs will be excluded from certain children's play areas and other recreational areas such as bowling greens and basketball courts from 29 November 2010.

The Council has also introduced keeping dogs off a lead in town centres, pedestrian areas, each and every length of road including pavements, all cemeteries and church yards with a maximum lead length of 5 meters. The Council has not introduced an order specifically for dogs to be kept on a lead in parks or open spaces.

A copy of the Order and maps of the locations can be viewed by clicking the appropriate link from those below. (All documents are in PDF format)

The Dogs (Specified Maximum) (Ashfield District) Order 2010

The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Ashfield District) Order 2010

The Dogs on Leads by Direction (Ashfield District) Order 2010

The Dogs on a Lead (Ashfield District) Order 2010

The Dogs Exclusion (Ashfield District) Order 2010

All dog control orders will be kept under review and will come into force across Ashfield from 29th November 2010

Appropriate signage will be put in place to inform residents of the orders as well as public notices.

Enacting a dog control order will give the local authority powers to issue fixed penalty notices for anyone who acts in breach of these orders. The fixed penalty notice is an alternative enforcement option to deal with offences without the need to take the offence through the court process in most circumstances. However the Council hopes that by introducing the orders dog owners will be deterred from being irresponsible in the first place.

The penalty in relation to any offence in the above control orders is a fixed penalty notice in the sum of £75 to be paid within 14 days. If the penalty notice is not paid or is not appropriate Ashfield District Council may prosecute the offender in a Magistrates Court. The maximum penalty on conviction is £1000.