Personal Injury Solicitors

Cambridge City Council is considering new public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) to tackle dog-related issues across the city.

A report to be presented to Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Monday, 10 October recommends that PSPOs be introduced for dog control in Cambridge, subject to approval and a full consultation.

Existing Dog Control Orders will automatically have become PSPOs in October 2017, due to changes in legislation. However, the council is proposing to make this change early to help reduce nuisance from uncontrolled dogs in parks, playgrounds and public spaces – and to enforce the obligation on owners to keep dogs on leads.

By doing so, it would allow for new areas requiring dog control to be considered and consulted on and PSPO signage to be reviewed – and to allow for a smooth transition, so fixed penalties can continue to be issued to anyone breaching the orders.

The proposals would see the creation of new dog exclusion in some areas of the city, with a dogs-on-lead area and either a dogs exclusion or dogs-on-leads restriction in other areas. Restrictions on dogs would also potentially be removed or changed at 17 other locations around the city.

The council introduced the Dog Control Orders in 2013, which created offences in specific locations such as parks, playgrounds and open spaces.
People breaching these orders can either pay a fixed penalty or be liable for prosecution.

There are a number of differences between the existing Dog Control Orders and the proposed dog control PSPO. Although the same offences would be covered by the PSPO, the council says it would offer more flexibility to vary them as necessary when responding to particular problems in a location.

The PSPO could also apply to public rights of way, including roads, where they could not previously.

The proposed locations for the new PSPO would vary from existing Dog Control Orders in several ways – dog exclusion areas would be introduced at fenced-in parks, the need for dogs to be kept on leads in some areas would be removed – while dogs on leads would be introduced in some areas where complaints have been received.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Lewis Herbert, said:

“We see the dog control PSPO as an essential measure to require dog owners to exert appropriate control over their animals and to tackle this element of anti-social behaviour in the city.

“While most dog owners are entirely responsible and considerate, a small minority can make life difficult for other people, especially in our parks and open spaces.

“By introducing a PSPO to cover dog control in public places, our officers would have another useful tool at their disposal to tackle this anti-social behaviour.”

If Cllr Herbert approves the proposal in principle, the council will publicise the proposed orders and carry out a consultation with local residents and other groups.

Subject to final approval, the new PSPO would then be introduced in January 2017.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Dog Bite Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can offer expert legal advice to those who have suffered injury as a result of unprovoked dog attacks and who wish to make a claim for compensation against the dog’s owner.

Claims for dog bite injuries can be made whether the attack took place in a public place or on private property.

Claims have to be made within three years of injury – children can make personal injury claims up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Dog Bite Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.