Dog Control Orders – Important

Birmingham Dog Control – New laws coming soon

Following a full public consultation, Birmingham City Council is to go ahead with implementing Dog Control Orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. These new orders will be introduced on 1 March 2014 and are been seen as measures to tackle issues caused by irresponsible dog owners who fail to control or clean up after their pets. Offences will be dealt with by a Fixed Penalty Notice and fine of £80.
Dog owners need to be aware of the new laws as follows;
1. The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2014 – it will be an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to remove faeces forthwith from any land to which the public have access. This Order will replace and extend the existing controls under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
2. The Dogs on Leads Order 2014 – it will be an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to ensure that a dog is kept on a lead at all times on all public roads, adjoining footways and verges.

• The Dogs Exclusion Order 2014 – it will be an offence for a person in charge of a dog to permit the dog to enter into or remain in any of the following areas:
• any clearly demarcated children’s play area, and
• School land.

3. The Dogs on Leads by Direction Order 2014 – it will be an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to put that dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on any land to which the public have access and is open to the air.
4. The Dogs (specified Maximum) Order 2014 – it will be an offence for a person to take more than four dogs onto open land in Birmingham.

Please note there are exemptions for assistance dogs.

For more information regarding Dog Control Orders, please click here.
 

Posted on 10th January 2014