Council asking for lead on new dog control powers
Leeds city Council is asking people for their views on potential powers that could impose new controls on dogs and responsibilities on their owners across Leeds.
Dog Control Orders could allow Leeds City Council to ban dogs from certain areas of the city, designate areas where owners must keep their dogs on a lead and restrict the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at a time.
They could also mean that any dog owner in Leeds could be instructed to put their dog on a lead if it is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance.
The council has now launched a major consultation to ask local people what they think of these powers and how, and where, they could be applied.
If the council makes any of these orders it will be a criminal offence to breach them. On conviction the offence can result in a fine of up to £1,000 or an offender can choose to pay a fixed penalty to avoid prosecution.
More detail of the different powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 includes:
Dogs on leads in prescribed areas
This would require all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads at all times when in the areas of land covered by the order. The order can cover roads, pavements and footpaths, gated alleyways, small parks and planted areas.
Putting and keeping a dog on a leads when directed to do so
This would require a dog owner to put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer because the dog is likely to cause nuisance, annoyance or disturbance. This order would cover the whole of the city.
Banning dogs from prescribed areas
This would allow the council to specify certain land where no dogs are allowed (unless they are guide dogs or assistance dogs) – this could specifically be used for children’s play areas or land used for sport.
Setting a maximum numbers of dogs that can be walked at any one time
This would limit the number of dogs that one person can walk at any one time. The council would set the number to make sure that the owner is able to control all the dogs they are walking and clean up after them. This would cover the whole of Leeds.
To give the council their views, people should go to www.leeds.gov.uk/dogs and complete the on-line questionnaire. A copy of the consultation documents, maps and lists identifying land that might be affected are available online or can be inspected at Knowsthorpe Gate, Cross Green, Leeds LS9 0NP. Hard copies of the questionnaire can be obtained by contacting 0113 3951765 or email environmental.action@leeds.gov.uk
Views must be submitted before 31 August 2010, when this consultation will close.
Councillor Tom Murray, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for environmental services, said:
“Irresponsible dog owners are a problem, blighting parks and streets with their pet’s mess and failing to properly control their animals.
“Yet using these new powers would obviously be a fundamental change in the way we deal with the problem.
“Before we decide which of these measures could help us deal with these issues, we need to know what the public think – whether they own a dog or not.
“Only then can we make an appropriate judgement of how we should to apply these new rules.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council (0113) 224 3937
e-mail:
michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk