Dog laws in Preston
Under the transitional arrangements of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Dog Control Orders made via the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 became Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO's) in October 2017.
The following four Dog Control Orders are currently in force across Preston (these are to be treated as PSPO`s):
- Fouling of Land by Dogs 2012
- Dogs Exclusion Order 2012
- Dogs on Lead by Direction Order 2012
- Dogs on Leads Order 2012
Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2012
The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2012 makes it an offence to not pick up your dog's waste on land where the orders apply.
For information on how to report a dog fouling issue see dog fouling.
To view a copy of the original document download Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2012 (PDF, 754 KB).
Dogs Exclusion Order 2012
The Dogs Exclusion Order 2012 makes it an offence to take dogs into the following prescribed areas:
- Play areas
- Multi-use games areas and ball courts
- Bowling greens (excluding the footpath around the green)
- Skate park, BMX track or youth shelter
- Sports pitches when organised activities are taking place
- Fountain, water feature, pond or ornamental lake
- Cemetery or crematorium grounds
To view a copy of the original document download Dogs Exclusion Order 2012 (PDF, 838 KB).
Dogs on Lead by Direction Order 2012
The Dogs on Lead by Direction Order 2012 makes it an offence to not put a dog on a lead if given direction by an authorised officer on land which the order applies.
To view a copy of the original document download Dogs on Lead by Direction Order 2012 (PDF, 711 KB).
Dogs on Leads Order 2012
The Dogs on Leads Order 2012 makes it an offence for a person to not have a dog on a lead in prescribed areas as follows:
- Public roads, including footpaths, verges and cycle tracks
- City centre parks and town centre council owned market locations
- Parts of school grounds and their play areas, along with grounds of leisure centres
To view a copy of the original document download Dogs on Leads Order 2012 (PDF, 2 MB).
Committing a Dog Control Order offence
Failure to follow any of the orders is an offence which could lead to prosecution.
If prosecuted, you may be either:
1. Fined up to £1000 and receive a criminal record upon conviction
Or
2. Given the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100. Failure to pay the fixed penalty notice will result in prosecution.
Please note: there is no appeal process for persons who have received a Fixed Penalty Notice.
A Person who receives a Fixed Penalty Notice may either pay the fine or choose to go to court.
Please be aware that there are special exemptions for persons registered as blind or to persons who rely on trained assistance dogs.
Dog collar and tag
Every dog must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner on the collar or an attached plate/badge whilst in a public place.
Failure to follow to this order is a criminal offence which may lead to fined up to £5,000. For more information see dog collar and tag.
Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014
This act gives power to the police and ourselves to deal with anti-social behaviour, which can be applied to dogs.
What is considered anti-social dog behaviour?
For us to take action, the behaviour of the dog must be:
- having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the locality
- be persistent or continuing
- be unreasonable
Examples include:
- Allowing a dog to frequently roam either in the street or into a neighbours garden
- Allowing a dog to foul in a neighbours garden
- Failing to control your dog in public, i.e. allowing it to be aggressive or actually attack other animals
How we deal with anti-social dog behaviour
- Depending on circumstances, we will endeavour where possible to talk directly to the dog owner to firstly advise and educate them regarding responsible dog ownership.
- A written warning is sent to any owner that is failing to control their dog.
- If the owner ignores the warning they will be sent a Community Protection Notice (CPN).*
- If the owner does not follow the CPN, they may be given a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecuted and fined up to £2,500. The court may also order the dog to be taken away from its owner.
*The CPN may order the owner to carry out work such as fixing a hole in the fence through which the dog regularly escapes, or making the dog owner take the dog to obedience lessons.
Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953
If a dog attacks or worries livestock on agricultural land the owner and or keeper commits an offence and may be fined up to £1,000.
Under certain circumstances farmers can shoot dogs that are worrying their livestock.
Dogs Act 1871
If a dog is shown to be dangerous then the courts can order that the dog is kept under proper control (e.g. muzzled and on a lead in public places) or destroyed.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended)
This act deals with banned dogs and aggressive dogs.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
This act gives us the power to deal with Stray dogs as well as noise nuisance caused by dogs barking.
Other legislation
The information on this page covers the most commonly used legislation in Preston. Other legislation that may apply to your dog includes the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 1973 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and 2018.
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