On-the-spot fines for irresponsible dog owners are to be introduced for the next three years across Liverpool.
Liverpool Council has tonight agreed to adopt a public space protection order (PSPO) tightening its controls over dog fouling and inappropriate behaviour in certain locations across the city. The three-year order will prevent dogs being off lead in eight city cemeteries and present at all at more than 70 playgrounds and sports pitches.
In July, the council launched a consultation on its plans to implement a PSPO which includes legislation relating to dog fouling, placing dogs on a lead where directed, dogs on leads at all times in a designated area and the exclusion of dogs altogether in certain areas. A total of 71 responses were received, with almost three quarters of those replying in support.
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The PSPO will be effective for a maximum period of three years and those found in breach would be issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice by council officers or police constables. An exception has been made for assistance dogs, and appropriate signage will be produced and displayed in affected areas.
A brief meeting of Liverpool Council’s highways and public spaces representations committee was told the existing byelaws are “outdated” and don't accurately reflect all parks and gardens in the city. Introduction of the PSPO will end the requirement of those found offending to be summonsed to court.
The scheme was trialled in Anfield in 2011 successfully. Through the new scheme, officers will be able to ask dog owners to put their pets on a lead and if this is met, no offence is noted.
A total of 10 locations, including eight cemeteries, St John’s Gardens and Devonfield Gardens, would require dogs to be on a lead at all times. The expected cost to provide the required signage is likely to be £1,500.
This will be paid through City Watch budgets and recharged to individual service areas - cemeteries, parks and green spaces. The PSPO will go live once it is sealed, published and upon installation of the signage, which is expected to be within the next month.
Councillor Liam Robinson, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We’ve listened to all those who have complained about this issue over the past few years, and today I’m glad to say Liverpool Council has acted. Our parks and open spaces are hugely important community assets – as the Covid-19 pandemic vividly underlined - and we can’t let a minority ruin the joy they bring for everyone else.
“These enforcement powers under this new PSPO provides clarity on what the rules are and they also strike the right balance – allowing people to continue to enjoy walking their dogs but giving the council the tools to instantly fine those who spoil that experience. The council has invested millions of pounds in upgrading our play areas and we need to ensure they are kept as clean and tidy as possible for families and their children to enjoy.
“Dogs not on leads in public spaces has also become a concern, as our colleagues in Merseyside Police can testify, and we’ve had too many reports of deaths to wildlife in our parks to just sit here and do nothing. As with any new rules, they will take time to bed in and we’ll review them and continue to listen to park users and dog owners to see if and how they can be improved.”
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