Purpose

To seek approval of renewal of the Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for a further three years.

Decision

To approve and authorise the Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance to renew the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, for a further three years.

Reasons for the decision

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are powers available to local authorities under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They enable councils to introduce restrictions where activities carried out in a public place have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and where those restrictions are reasonable and proportionate.

The Council's current Dog Control PSPO, detailed here https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/other-services/environmental-health/animals-and-pests/public-space-protection-order-dog-control expires on 19 October 2026 and must be reviewed in order to be renewed. Before renewing an Order, the Council must be satisfied that the statutory tests continue to be met and that the controls remain necessary and proportionate.

The existing Order provides a range of controls designed to promote responsible dog ownership, protect public spaces and address dog-related anti-social behaviour across the borough. These are:

•  Dog fouling.

•  The requirement to carry the means to remove dog faeces.

•  Exclusion of dogs from children's play areas and tennis courts.

•  Dogs on leads in designated locations including the Town Centre.

•  Dogs on leads by direction.

•  Dogs being kept under proper control.

•  Limits on the number of dogs walked by a single individual.

•  Requirements to provide a name and address when requested by an authorised officer.

•  Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of the Order

The Order forms part of a wider suite of powers available to the Community Protection Team and is used alongside engagement, education and other enforcement tools where appropriate.

As part of the review process, officers have considered operational experience, enforcement activity, local intelligence, stakeholder feedback and the outcome of public consultation. The purpose of the report is to present the findings of that review and seek approval to renew the existing Dog Control PSPO for a further three years

It is important to note that, following the repeal of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, the PSPO provides the primary mechanism through which dog fouling offences can be enforced within the borough.

The report was considered by the Housing and Community Cohesion Policy Advisory Committee on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

Following advice from the Legal team, the specific Fixed Penalty Notice values were removed from Appendix 1 to give more flexibility.

Alternative options considered

Option 2: Do Nothing

This was not selected as allowing the current Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order to expire would remove a useful tool used to address dog-related anti-social behaviour and promote responsible dog ownership across the borough. Whilst other powers would remain available, the Council would lose a flexible and proportionate enforcement mechanism that supports officers in responding to issues such as dog fouling, dogs not being kept under proper control and breaches of dog control requirements.

Option3: Amend the Existing Public Spaces Protection Order

This option was not selected as, as part of the review process, officers considered whether any measures should be removed, amended or supplemented. The review included consideration of operational experience, enforcement activity, local intelligence, stakeholder feedback and the outcome of public consultation. The review did not identify any evidence to suggest that the existing measures are no longer necessary or proportionate, nor has it identified a need for additional controls at this time.