Teignbridge’s dog control Public Spaces Protection Order is under review with councillors needing to decide whether it should be renewed before it expires in March.
Over the next six weeks, the council is asking residents for their views on the PSPO and whether they want to see it retained and what changes should be made to it.
A wide range of other stakeholder organisations will also be asked for their views including for example, Town and Parish Councils, the Police, Teign Housing, Dartmoor National Park, the Forestry Commission, the kennel club, guide dogs association, RSPCA, Keep Britain Tidy and a a number of tourism and trader organisations.
The PSPO was introduced in an effort to control irresponsible dog ownership and to help keep the district clean giving the council powers to fine owners if their dog is out of control or if they don’t pick up after it.
In considering whether to renew the PSPO the council needs to consider if removing it would have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of local residents and if it is not renewed, whether dog fouling and control problems would not only continue but get worse.
Executive Member for Waste Management and Environmental Health, Councillor Alistair Dewhirst said: “This is always a controversial topic with strong views held by those who own dogs and those who don’t so the council wants to encourage the widest feedback.
“Since introducing the PSPO we have been able to tackle some of the worst offenders and there is no doubt that it has made a positive difference to keeping our district clean.
“We now need to decide whether the benefits are sufficient to continue with the PSPO and before doing that we want the widest possible input and views from all parts of the district.”
People can give their views via the website https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/dogpspo
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