Dog Control Orders Have Gone So What Can Be Done?

Dog Control Orders (DCO) have gone so what can be done?

The power to make new DCOs was repealed on 20 October 2014 by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Act introduces new powers to make Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for any activity in a public place, including the control of dogs, that has or is likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. These changes will have an impact on a number of open spaces in Cornwall.

A project group of stakeholders will be set up by Cornwall Council to review and determine the impact of these changes and propose a policy for future implementation. The results of this review will be presented to the Communities Policy Advisory Committee (Communities PAC) in around 12-18 months’ time. The report will include a list of those existing dog exclusion DCOs recommended for revocation, or for conversion to PSPOs, either in their existing format or in an amended format.

In the meantime, PSPOs will not routinely be made in respect of dog exclusion areas until the audit is complete. In addition, no existing DCOs will be varied until the review is completed, unless there is an urgent need that can be evidenced and resourced by the requester. The evidence required will be that public health and safety is being compromised.

There are currently two Cornwall-wide DCOs in place

• it is an offence to fail to remove dog fouling
• dog owners must place a dog on a lead when requested by an authorised officer.

Additionally there are numerous DCOs in force that exclude dogs from land, including 47 beaches.