Local councils across England are being encouraged to seek advice from the Kennel Club when their previously issued Dog Control Orders automatically convert to become Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) later this week (19th and 20th October).
The Kennel Club has proactively been promoting the importance of ensuring that PSPOs affecting dog owners are fair and proportionate and will not unnecessarily penalise responsible dog owners, whilst at the same time, working with local authorities who are looking to introduce them.
After the government announced the introduction of PSPOs as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (Publication of Public Spaces Protection Orders) Regulations 2014, the Kennel Club’s KC Dog scheme, which was set up to help dog owners across the country protect their rights, has worked hard to secure itself as a resource for both government and dog owners alike.
In October 2016, the Kennel Club held a Parliamentary reception for the launch of their report, ‘Out of Order: the impact of access restrictions on dogs and their owners’, and hosted a seminar in early 2017 for local authorities to support their decision making in the PSPO process.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The Kennel Club’s Public Affairs department has worked hard to assist local authorities introducing Public Spaces Protection Orders to make sure that they have the support of responsible dog owners by providing advice and guidance on making them fair and reasonable
“Through KC Dog, the Kennel Club can look at the effect that PSPOs can have on the lives of responsible dog owners as well as the irresponsible ones they seek to target. For example the impact on the local environment if dog walkers have to drive out of the area to exercise their dogs should be considered, as well as the local economy if it is reliant on the ‘paw pound’. This is why the Kennel Club encourages the use of targeted measures such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts or Community Protection Notices also introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.
“For those local authorities who are taking no formal action regarding the transition, we would encourage them to be aware of the requirements under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (Publication of Public Spaces Protection Orders) Regulations 2014. The regulations require local authorities to publish the orders on their websites and ensure appropriate signage is in place. Local authorities should also be aware of expiry dates, which didn’t apply to Dog Control Orders, but are three years for Public Spaces Protection Orders.
“We would urge local authorities to contact KC Dog for more information or support.”
Read more information on KC Dog and Public Space Protection Orders.