A new dog walking rule means pet owners could be hit with £500 on-the-spot fines from June 29. Under Labour Party government rules, councils have the power to issue fines of up to £500 to dog walkers from the end of this month.
Crime and Policing Act 2026
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 will see the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices rise to £500.
John Roberts, chief services officer of Kingdom Local Authority Support, said: "The Crime and Policing Act 2026 is due to give local authorities unprecedented powers to combat issues such as dog fouling and public drinking."
He continued: "The legislation increases the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) level for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and Community Protection Notices (CPNs) from £100 to £500. It's important to note that this is not an automatic increase, but it does give councils the ability to set penalties at a higher level where appropriate."
What Are PSPOs?
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are an intervention to prevent individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. These powers were introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Councils may make a PSPO after consultation with the Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and appropriate community representatives. They can be enforced by council officers, police officers or suitably authorised police community support officers.
Dog Control PSPO Requirements
A Dog Control PSPO requires dog owners to:
- Remove their dogs' waste from all public places and have a means on their person to pick up dog waste.
- Place their dog on a lead when asked by an authorised officer, if the dog was causing a nuisance.
- Prohibit dogs from entering the playing areas of public marked sports pitches, formal recreation areas including but not exclusively bowling greens and tennis courts, fenced equipped children's play areas and all areas within school grounds.
- Keep their dog on a lead in cemeteries, as well as making sure they prohibit the access of dogs in specified locations in the county affected.
