Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has introduced new dog control powers in an aim to reduce the number of incidents caused by dogs not being under proper control.
The new measures include requiring owners to keep their dogs on a lead in some formal parks and gardens in Redcar and Cleveland.
The rules also provide powers to enforcement officers who can direct any person in charge of a dog in any public space to put their dog on a lead if the dog is showing behaviour that is causing annoyance or disturbance. Those refusing to do so will be committing an offence.
These rules take the form of a public spaces protection order (PSPO) which allows the council to take enforcement action by issuing on the spot £100 fines.
Offenders could face a maximum court penalty of £1,000 if prosecuted. They join the existing rules, made using powers the council has under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), which aim to tackle dog fouling and other forms of irresponsible dog ownership.
The formal parks and gardens where dogs are required to be on a lead at all times include:
- Locke Park, Redcar;
- Parts of Borough Park (family community woodland, rose garden, community orchard walkway), Redcar;
- Zetland Park, Redcar;
- Marske Valley Gardens;
- Marine Parade (north) lower path gardens, Saltburn;
- Parts of Saltburn Valley Gardens (Italian garden and tea rooms, walled garden and woodland centre);
- Coronation Park, Loftus.
Signs will be erected at the precise locations of where the measures are enforceable, and residents can find more detailed maps of the restricted spaces on the Council’s website at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Cllr Cliff Foggo, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, at the Council, said:
“Unfortunately, a small minority of people do not have proper control of their dogs which means that these measures have been deemed necessary. To have such a significant increase of dog related reports in the last three years is staggering, and we have to do everything we can to protect our residents and other pets.
“We want to emphasise that dogs are still welcome in these locations, we just require that they stay on a lead so other people can enjoy the shared space. We live in a borough with a stunning coastline and fantastic outdoor areas including Flatts Lane, Errington Woods and Guisborough Woods, which give people plenty of space and opportunity to freely exercise their pooches.”
A consultation exercise was carried out earlier in the summer, and a summary of the findings can be found on the previous consultations page on the Council’s website.