Irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up face fines of up to £1,000

IRRESPONSIBLE DOG owners who fail to clean up after their pet or to keep them on a lead in sensitive locations across Warrington will soon face the possibility of fines of up to £1,000.

Warrington’s new Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) comes into force this month – and will provide the borough council with means to tackle issues that have a detrimental impact on the local community.
Signage is now going on display across the borough and council officers will be working with communities to raise awareness about the aims of the PSPO.
A PSPO provides the ability to take action against irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their dog. It also requires dogs to be kept on leads in cemeteries and crematorium gardens and at Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s). Authorised officers will be able to formally require people to put their dog on a lead.
Cllr John Kerr-Brown, the council’s cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said: “We recognise that most people act responsibly when exercising their dogs. This PSPO will help to improve our environment and to protect wildlife, while ensuring our parks and green spaces remain safe, enjoyable places for everyone who uses them.”
You can view Warrington’s Dog Fouling PSPO at warrington.gov.uk/public-spaces-protection-orders-pspos
Dog fouling complaints and enquiries can be made by visiting warrington.gov.uk/dog-fouling
The council stress that the aim of the new measures is to encourage people to clean up after their dogs and keep them on a lead in sensitive places.
Where offences are committed, the dog owners will face fixed penalties of £100 or in the case of prosecution in court, fines of up to £1,000.
The cemeteries, crematoria and closed cemeteries covered by the PSPO are:
Burtonwood Cemetery, WA5
Fox Covert Cemetery, WA4
Holinfare Cemetery, WA3
Warrington Cemetery, WA1
Risley Presbyterian Chapel Burial Ground, WA3
Croft Unitarian Chapel Graveyard, WA3
Meeting Lane Closed Churchyard Penketh, WA5
St Elphins Parish Church, WA1
St Helens Church, WA3
St James Church, WA4
St Mary’ Penketh, WA5
St Mary’s Lymm, WA13
St Oswalds Church, WA2
St Paul’s Churchyard, WA2
St Thomas Church, WA4