Share Your Views on Dog Control

Residents, businesses and visitors to South Tyneside are being invited to give their views on proposals to renew the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control across the Borough.

A four-week public consultation has been launched on the proposed extension of the PSPO, which ensures owners clean up after their dogs, requires dogs to be on leads in certain areas and  restricts the places where dogs are permitted to be.

The PSPO was first introduced in October 2017, replacing previous Dog Controls Orders in South Tyneside.

The existing PSPO is due to expire in November this year and before deciding whether to renew the Orders for a further three years, the council must carry out public consultation.

Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: "Our parks, beaches and open spaces are well used and loved by residents and visitors and it's important that they remain enjoyable for everyone.

"We know the majority of dog owners are responsible, but we need measures in place that ensure we can tackle issues like fouling and dogs being in areas where they are not permitted.

"The PSPO enables us to clearly set out the rules that apply to all, such as picking up after your dog, keeping your pet on a lead in certain areas or keeping them out of specific places altogether, like children's play areas.

"We want to hear from as many people as possible to establish the issues of most concern to residents and to inform whether the existing order for dog control remains fit for purpose and should be extended or whether any changes are needed."

The existing PSPO for dog control covers the following issues:

Dog fouling- dog owners must remove their dog's mess immediately;

Dogs on Leads - dog owners must keep dogs on leads no longer that 1.5m in South Marine Park and in all cemeteries in the Borough, at all times;

Dogs on Lead by direction - dog owners must put and keep their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer;

Dog Exclusion - dog owners must prevent their dogs from entering all enclosed children's play areas and school playing fields. In addition, Sandhaven Beach is a dog exclusion zone from 1 May to 30 September, from 8am to 6pm;

Dogs Specified Maximum number - dog owners must ensure that they are in control of no more than four dogs at any one time.

The PSPO gives enforcement officers the power to issue a Fixed Penalty of £100 for relevant offences. Failure to pay may lead to prosecution and a court fine of up to £1,000.

Proposals for  renewal of the order, and feedback from the consultation, will be considered by Cabinet later this year.

For further information about the consultation visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay  Copies of the survey are also available at the Town Halls in South Shields and Jarrow and at The Word, Market Place, South Shields. Officers will be out and about over the coming weeks visiting popular locations and local events to seek your views.

Members of the public have until Friday 8 September 2023 to submit their views online, or via email: environmental.healthmailbox@southtyneside.gov.uk

The public is also encouraged to report incidents of dog fouling or dog control issues to the Council's Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000. Calls will be treated in confidence. Dog fouling can also be reported online at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/dogfouling