The Council has issued a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) called The Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's (Dog Fouling) Public Spaces Protection Order 2020, which is based on the powers granted by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The order is aimed at addressing the issue of dog fouling in public places and reducing crime and anti-social behavior.
The order comes into operation on 29 January 2024 and remains in effect for one year unless extended, varied, or discharged.
The Council believes that the failure to remove dog faeces from public places has a detrimental effect on the quality of life for people in the locality.
The activities related to dog fouling are considered persistent, continuing, and unreasonable, justifying the restrictions imposed by the order.
The order states that if a person fails to remove dog faeces from any land covered by the order, they will be guilty of an offence unless they have a reasonable excuse or have consent from the owner/occupier of the land.
The order does not apply to registered blind persons or individuals with disabilities who rely on accredited assistance dogs.
The prohibitions contained in the order apply to all persons, at all times and days throughout the year, within the restricted area as shown on the map.
Non-compliance with the order is an offence, punishable by a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or, upon conviction, a fine not exceeding £1,000.
An authorized person, such as a police officer or Council employee, can issue a fixed penalty notice to offenders.
The order includes additional information and definitions, such as the definition of a public place and land, the responsibilities of a person in charge of a dog, and a list of prescribed charities that provide accredited assistance dogs.
Interested parties who wish to challenge the validity of the order can apply to the High Court within six weeks of the order's issuance.
The content concludes with the common seal of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council affixed to the order in the presence of a duly authorized officer named EL Anderson.