New controls on dogs in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire council’s executive board has backed new measures for greater control of dogs in public places.
A report on new Dog Control Orders proposed for Carmarthenshire went before members for their approval before going out for public consultation.
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, local authorities now have greater powers to control dogs in public places.
A working group was set up involving various council departments such as street scene, education, leisure with representatives from the country parks and Millennium Coastal Park, housing and public protection to help decide the way forward.
The group also consulted with town and community councils as well as residents via the council website and through advertising in the local press.
The executive board is supporting the proposals which include banning dogs from certain areas such as schools, play areas and sports pitches; limiting the number of dogs that a person can walk in public places; and keeping dogs on leads at all times such as on public highways and pedestrianised areas in town centres.
Councillor Haydn Jones, executive board member for the environment, said: "We are getting a lot of problems in public parks, play areas and, in particular, school fields.
“It is only a small number of people that are irresponsible and that we need to control, the majority of people with dogs look after them in a proper fashion.
“Unfortunately, some dog owners are getting very excited about some of the issues and there has been some negative press, but much of what has been said is misinformation, I am very happy to support what is proposed.”
Deputy leader Councillor Kevin Madge also welcomed the introduction of the orders. He said: “Some dog owners do not respect other people. Amman United rugby ground had to call off a game the other day when there was dog mess all over the pitch.
“I have a Jack Russell and it has been attacked twice, by a bulldog and an Alsatian, because they were not on a lead.”
Failure to comply with a Dog Control Order could result in a £75 fixed penalty notice or prosecution through the courts where the maximum fine that can be imposed is £1,000.
There are some exemptions for example for people who are registered as blind and for some disabled people with assistance dogs.
The public will be consulted on the orders before any final decision is reached, probably in the autumn.
A report on new Dog Control Orders proposed for Carmarthenshire went before members for their approval before going out for public consultation.
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, local authorities now have greater powers to control dogs in public places.
A working group was set up involving various council departments such as street scene, education, leisure with representatives from the country parks and Millennium Coastal Park, housing and public protection to help decide the way forward.
The group also consulted with town and community councils as well as residents via the council website and through advertising in the local press.
The executive board is supporting the proposals which include banning dogs from certain areas such as schools, play areas and sports pitches; limiting the number of dogs that a person can walk in public places; and keeping dogs on leads at all times such as on public highways and pedestrianised areas in town centres.
Councillor Haydn Jones, executive board member for the environment, said: "We are getting a lot of problems in public parks, play areas and, in particular, school fields.
“It is only a small number of people that are irresponsible and that we need to control, the majority of people with dogs look after them in a proper fashion.
“Unfortunately, some dog owners are getting very excited about some of the issues and there has been some negative press, but much of what has been said is misinformation, I am very happy to support what is proposed.”
Deputy leader Councillor Kevin Madge also welcomed the introduction of the orders. He said: “Some dog owners do not respect other people. Amman United rugby ground had to call off a game the other day when there was dog mess all over the pitch.
“I have a Jack Russell and it has been attacked twice, by a bulldog and an Alsatian, because they were not on a lead.”
Failure to comply with a Dog Control Order could result in a £75 fixed penalty notice or prosecution through the courts where the maximum fine that can be imposed is £1,000.
There are some exemptions for example for people who are registered as blind and for some disabled people with assistance dogs.
The public will be consulted on the orders before any final decision is reached, probably in the autumn.
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