Dog Fouling of pitches
What is the legislation regarding dog fouling?
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 has repealed the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 and dog fouling is now one of five dog control.
Matters that can be regulated by way of Dog Control Orders. The authority can designate areas of land and make a Dog Control Order to apply to that land. This could be any land which is open to the air on at least one side and to which the public have access (with or without payment). There are exceptions which apply (or could be applied) to certain types of land, for example, roads (and highways) in respect of a Dog Control Order excluding dogs from land.
This system of Dog Control Orders replaces that of making bylaws, or designations under the now repealed Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. However, existing bylaws will continue to apply until a control order is made in concern of the same offence and relating to the same land. Existing dog fouling designations will continue to apply until a control order is made for any of the dog offences in respect of that land. In considering how appropriate and measure a Dog Control Order is for an area, an authority is urged to have a regard to balancing the needs of dog owners with the interests of the wider public, as well as practical considerations for the enforcement of the land.
The responsibility for cleaning up dog fouling is ultimately the owner or handler of the dog. However, bodies with a duty to keep land clear of litter and refuse, or highways clean under s. 89 of the Environment Protection Act 1990, are required under the Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991, to keep the following types of land clear of dog faeces:
• Any public walk or pleasure ground; • any land laid out as a garden and used for the purpose of recreation;
• Any part of the seashore which is frequently used by large numbers of people, and managed by the
Person having direct control of it as a tourist resort or recreational facility;
• Any esplanade or promenade which is above the place where the tide flows;
• Any land not forming part of a highway, which is open to the air, which the public are permitted to
Use on foot only, and which provides access to retail premises;
• A trunk road picnic area;
• A picnic site
Lancashire Evening Telegraph says!!
RSS Feeds