New PSPO comes into force this month
New rules which encourage responsible dog ownership and ban smoking in specific public open spaces came into force across the Daventry and South Northants areas this month(November).The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) gives our Council the ability to ensure that the public can use and enjoy these public spaces, and aims to help to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live and work.
It will last for a period of three years, and means dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to:
- Pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
- Carry the means to pick up after their dog
- Prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas and bowling greens
- Keep their dog on a lead when in cemeteries, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, carparks, sports grounds, fields and pitches – when in use for authorised sporting activity
- Put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
It also:
- Restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time
- Prohibits smoking in: children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas, and bowling greens.
Signage to remind people of the rules will be put place across the Daventry and South Northants areas in the coming months and we are currently compiling a list of hot spots for targeted enforcement work. Enforcement of the PSPO will be carried out by WNC officers.
Find out more information about PSPOs that are in force across West Northants Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)