Tuesday, December 20, 2022

West Lancashire Borough Council to review dog control policy

  • Residents are invited to have their say on renewal of the Public Space Protection Order that governs relevant dog controls
  • Policy review will consider the inclusion of two new children's play areas

The Council are inviting the residents of West Lancashire to give their views on the renewal of the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that governs relevant dog control measures in the Borough, including the addition of two more children's play areas that would be subject to the Order.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, West Lancashire Borough Council implemented a Public Space Protection Order to help control dog fouling and other relevant dog control matters.

The Order came into force in April 2020 and requires a person in control of a dog to comply with conditions, including:

  • Keeping dogs on leads in certain locations
  • The exclusion of dogs from certain locations
  • The immediate removal of dog faeces

The current PSPO covers 71 play areas where dogs are banned and eight areas where dogs must be kept on leads.

The PSPO is due to expire, so the Council is seeking views on the renewal of the Order for a further three years, which includes two additional children's play areas from which dogs - with the exception of guide dogs - would be banned. The new sites are the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Park, Skelmersdale and the enclosed children's play area in Thompson Avenue, Ormskirk. Residents can express their views on the current PSPO and put forward their thoughts on whether the proposed additions comply with the existing policy.

Councillor Gareth Dowling, Deputy Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Communities and Community Safety, said: "This is an important policy as dog related issues can present worries for our communities. We know that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and so we want to make sure that everyone can access our parks, whilst ensuring they are maintained so that they can be enjoyed by everyone. We would like to hear your views on this policy and its application to two additional children's play areas in the Borough."

Residents can give their views about the renewal of the policy at https://letstalkwestlancashire.uk.engagementhq.com/  until 26 January 2023.