The Council is asking residents to share their views on the proposed introduction of new dog control powers called Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle dog fouling and dog control issues. The Council is proposing to trial the powers in Master Park, Oxted and Queens Park, Caterham.
The PSPOs will make fouling and failing to pick up after a dog an offence, as well as banning dogs from the fenced children’s play areas at each location. A PSPO could attract a fine of £100 and/or exclusion of the dog from named areas and will be issued by council officers and Surrey Police officers. The measures do not apply to assistance dogs.
The Council is carrying out a six week public consultation to find out what residents think about the proposals. The consultation document will be available online and will remain open until Monday 27 March.
If there is public support, the trial areas will be approved and introduced. If this is successful, the Council will consider extending the powers across the district.
Councillor Nick Childs, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: “We are interested to hear what residents think about the proposal to tackle the anti-social behaviour of a small group of dog owners. We want all our residents and responsible dog owners to feel safe and enjoy the time they spend in the district’s open spaces and hope these measures will help us achieve that.”
To complete the survey online, visit http://www.surveyserver.net/?f=10105.
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For more information contact Giuseppina Valenza or Charlotte Bradshaw on communications@tandridge.gov.uk or 01883 732704/2742.
Party spokesmen: Councillor Martin Fisher (Con) 01883 712263, Councillor Chris Botten (Lib Dem) 07917 862130, Councillor Martin Allen (Ind) 01959 577201.