Purpose

We seek approval to introduce a general code
of conduct for dogs in parks and SCC open spaces and to introduce a
commercial dog walking license (with charge), for businesses who
are using our spaces for their commercial activity.

Content

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the
Executive Director of Neighbourhoods which sought the committee's
approval for a refreshed approach to managing the growing number of
dogs in SCC’s Parks and Countryside spaces, aimed at
benefiting the public, dog owners, businesses and their pets, while
ensuring the protection of those areas.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the
Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

(a) 
Notes the contents of the report;

(b) 
Approves the introduction of a Code of Conduct to promote
responsible dog ownership;

(c) 
Approves a voluntary registration scheme for commercial dog walkers
to encourage best practice;

(d) 
Approves the continued development of inclusive and effective
communications materials to promote the Code of Conduct, ready for
launch next year; and

(e) 
Approve the establishment of a working group with land managers and
commercial dog walkers to monitor and review the Code of Conduct,
registration scheme, and communications plan.

 

 

 

 

10.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

10.3.1

Better management of dogs in Sheffield's parks
and woodlands is essential to safeguard the city’s
biodiversity and preserve the health of its natural habitats, while
ensuring green spaces remain welcoming and safe for all
residents

 

 

10.3.2

By balancing the needs of dog owners with the
protection of these valuable areas, Sheffield can promote
responsible dog ownership, including waste disposal and preventing
overuse through effective licensing. This approach will help
maintain these vital spaces for future generations, supporting
Sheffield's nature emergency efforts to protect environment, while
providing safe, enjoyable spaces for all park[1]goers.

 

 

 

 

10.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do nothing
In 2021, Sheffield declared a nature
emergency. The growing impact of dogs on our green spaces is
significant and increasing. The Parks and Countryside service
oversees over 800 green spaces across 4,000 hectares, ranging from
ancient woodlands to public parks, many of which hold considerable
natural and ecological value. Failing to address the challenge
posed by the rising number of dogs would be an unsuitable approach
for a service with the potential to make a meaningful
difference.

 

 

10.4.2

Alternative Option 2:
Enforcement Measures to deal with persistent
nuisance behaviour
If dog-walking related activities amount to
unreasonable conduct which has a detrimental effect, of a
persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of people
in the locality then the Council could issue Community Protection
Notices (CPNs) under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing
Act (ASBCA) 2014 rather than adopting a voluntary approach. This is
not currently being proposed because there is not a sufficient
level of budget or staffing resource to monitor activity across a
large and diverse estate like Sheffield’s parks and
countryside and there is currently no evidence that such an
approach would be beneficial.

 

 

10.4.3

Alternative Option 3
Make a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)
under ASBCPA.
When applied to dog control, PSPOs can enforce
rules such as keeping dogs on leads, limiting the number of dogs
walked at once, excluding dogs from specific areas, or requiring
commercial dog walkers to be licensed by the Council. Without a
PSPO it is not legally possible to enforce these measures other
than by CPNs to address the conduct of individuals as described
above
 
While PSPOs can be effective in managing
specific problems, they also require significant resources to
implement and enforce. This includes the need for trained
enforcement officers, legal support, signage, and ongoing
monitoring.
 
We are currently monitoring how other
councils, such as North East Derbyshire and Derbyshire Dales, have
implemented similar measures. Their experience will help inform our
future approach. A PSPO remains an option to be considered if the
need arises and resources allow. This would be the subject of
further decision making by Community, Parks and Leisure Policy
Committee and all the factors described above would be fully
considered in any such decision.