We recognise that the vast majority of dog owners in Leeds are responsible, clean up after their dogs and keep them under proper control. However there are a minority of people who do not act responsibly, creating significant problems and concerns which residents have asked us to deal with.
We have a range of powers to take action to deal with irresponsible dog owners. The powers first came into effect in February 2011 and they were extended from 8th January 2012.
The penalty
The penalty in relation to any of the offences described below in any Dog Control Order is, on summary conviction, a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000).
A person may be offered the opportunity to discharge any liability to conviction for any offence under any Dog Control Order by payment of a fixed penalty. The specified amount of the fixed penalty is £75.
Please be aware that offences listed below do not apply to registered blind persons or to persons who rely on an assistance dog trained by Dogs for the Disabled, support dogs or Canine Partners for Independence with a disability affecting mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects.
The Orders are as follows:
1. Dog Fouling
This Order has been in force since 2006 and applies to any land within the area administered by the Council which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access either with or without payment (including all access land).
Failure to clear up after a dog is an offence and you will be fined or prosecuted.
2. Keeping Dogs On Leads At All Times (Leeds) Order
An Order is now in place requiring that on certain specified land dogs should be on a lead at all times. This Order applies to all carriageways and adjacent footpaths and grass verges within the Leeds City Council district. This is to make sure that any dog is kept under control at all times and to minimise the risk of accidents.
The Order also applies to cemeteries, crematoria and some specialist or ornamental gardens. This is because dogs can cause considerable anguish to visitors at an already distressing time, especially if creating a disturbance or fouling. The list of specific sites covered by the Order can be downloaded on the right of this page.
3. The Dogs On Leads By Direction (Leeds) Order 2011
An authorised officer can give a direction under this Order to put and keep a dog on a lead if restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person on any land to which this Order applies or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
This Order does not replace the requirements of Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which covers the offence of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
This Order applies to any land within the area administered by the Council which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access either with or without payment (including open country and common land to which the public have access and referred to as access land).
4. Dog Exclusion (Leeds) Order
This Order allows the Council to reduce dog fouling and complaints about nuisance dogs by excluding dogs from designated areas. An offence is committed by allowing a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.
This land includes many children’s play areas, some remembrance and wildlife gardens and many school grounds (where the school has asked to be included). The Order is in place to prevent a dog causing damage or disturbance even when under close control, for example where distractions are such that it may be difficult to keep a dog under control and may endanger young and vulnerable people.
The land covered by the Exclusion Order is also available on the land schedule available to download on the right of this page. Please note, these designated exclusion areas refer to the specific play areas as described on the schedule only and not the whole park area.
5. The Dogs Specified Maximum (Leeds) Order 2011 - maximum number of dogs to be walked at a given time
An offence is committed when a single person walks more than 4 dogs. Applies to any land within the area administered by the Council which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access either with or without payment (including all access land).
Following consultation on this proposal the council has clarified that, where a single person can show that they are a professional dog walker, they have appropriate insurance in place and the dogs are fully under control, we would not regard it as in the public interest to prosecute the person for walking up to six dogs.
Professional dog walkers are still subject to all of the Orders that are in place and should any number of dogs be out of control or causing a nuisance prosecution would be sought regardless of professional status.