Plans could see ban on dogs off leads in parts of Mid Devon

Mid Devon District Council’s cabinet on Thursday unanimously agreed go out to consultation on plans to extend and expand the existing dog control powers in the district.

The decision was made at the meeting, held virtually via Zoom, following increasing numbers of complaints about dog fouling and out of control dogs in public places in Mid Devon.

But councillors admitted that some of the proposals would be ‘divisive’ and that they had reservations about some of the ‘blanket ban’ measures in the policy.

The draft Public Spaces Protection Order outline fines of £100 could be issued to anyone whose dog is caught fouling in public, if they don’t have their dog on a lead in some cemeteries and parks, if they allow their dog to enter children’s play areas, or are walking more than four dogs at once.

The order also means that fines can be issued to anyone who is unable to provide evidence that they have the means to pick up after their dog or if they ignore a request by an authorised officer or a police constable to put their dog on a lead.

Proposing going out to consultation, Cllr Luke Taylor said that this would enable the council to continue dog fouling enforcement and they would listen to the opinions of the public in relation to the measures.

He said: “Last year, there were 128 reports logged in relation to aggressive behaviour by dogs, both on and off the leads. Not all dogs are troublesome or a risk and we are not stopping owners using the open spaces to exercise their dog, but this will ensure the safety of all public in those spaces.

“This is an emotive issue and there are two sides to the issue – possibly those with dogs and without – and this is purely a consultation at the moment.”

Cllr Graeme Barnell expressed his reservations about a blanket ban on anything. He said: “I do appreciate it is a sensitive issue as some dogs not well behaved and some dog owners turn a blind eye to dog fouling. But we need to listen carefully before we impose blanket bans and there are some parks where a ban on dogs off leads would be inappropriate.

“A blanket ban will upset dog owners unnecessarily in some areas so I look forward to the consultation coming back.”

Cllr Ben Holdman also expressed concerns, saying one residents had already rung him up moaning about all dogs having to be on leads and that they weren’t happy about this.

He called for the consultation to be publicised as widely as available as possible, while Cllr Nikki Woollatt said notices needed to be put up in parks to make people aware.

Cllr Chris Daw added: “We need to have a place where dogs can roam and have a run. Not all time and it doesn’t have to be where children are playing. But lots of members of public are not happy and they say they want dogs to have a space to be able to run, as long as they are kept under the owner’s supervision.

“We are looking at something that could be divisive to us as Mid Devon District council and as dog owners. We need to have areas where dogs are able to run free.”

The cabinet unanimously agreed to go out to consultation on the draft PSPO, with the current aim being for it to return to the cabinet for any decision to be made at September’s meeting.

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