Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To give due consideration to consultation responses received in November/December 2024, which invited local people, animal welfare organisations and businesses (which provide services for dog owners), for their opinions on whether there was a need for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) limiting the number of dogs on leads that one person can walk at the same time.

Decision

That Cabinet notes the results of the public consultation and report.

Alternative options considered and rejected

It may have been deemed as unlawful to ignore the majority response, and re-consult with a view to putting a PSPO in place, as there was no evidence to support the need for this PSPO.   

The consultation demonstrated there was not broad support regarding the implementation of a PSPO that would limit the number of dogs on leads that one person could walk at the same time. Therefore, it was requested that no further action was taken at this time.

Reasons for the decision

The purpose of the consultation was to ask local people, animal welfare organisations and businesses (which provide services for dog owners), for their opinions on whether there was a need for a PSPO which would limit the number of dogs on leads that one person could walk at the same time. The consultation demonstrated no broad support regarding the implementation of this proposed PSPO.

On 10 September 2024, Cabinet approved an immediate consultation for PSPOs concerning a recommended maximum number of dogs on leads per person. PSPOs were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime and Policing Act 2014 to deal with nuisances or problems that were detrimental to local quality of life. These imposed conditions on activity in specific areas applicable to everyone. PSPOs could be issued for any public space and were intended to ensure the law-abiding majority could use and enjoy public spaces, without suffering from anti-social behaviour. The definition of public space was wide and included any place to which the public or any section of the public had access.

The consultation was carried out late in 2024 and received 736 responses.

The following information was highlighted during debate:

• Professional dog walkers had felt it was an attack on their business, which was a misinterpretation. A more pertinent problem was people who were charging for a service without appropriate insurance.
• Some consultees had reported experience of specific instances of ASB. .
• 20% of consultation respondents did not live in South Kesteven.
• It was suggested by one member that the response from the RSPCA was very similar, or identical to, a response that they provide across other consultations around the country.
• There were many complex reasons behind dog attacks including: the attitude of dog owners; issues with particular breeds; and an increase in dog ownership since the Covid-19 epidemic. Limiting the number of dogs on a lead handled by one person might be one form of control but other preventative measures were available.
• A breach of a PSPO could only lead to enforcement if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21