A new law means dog walkers can be hit with £500 on-the-spot fines starting from June 29. Local authorities and councils will have the right to fine dog walkers up to £500 from the end of the sixth month of the year.
Key Changes Under the Crime & Policing Act 2026
The Crime & Policing Act 2026 will see the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and Community Protection Notices (CPNs) increase to £500. This figure is currently capped at £100 but will rise at the end of June.
John Roberts, chief services officer of Kingdom Local Authority Support, said: "The Crime & Policing Act 2026 is due to give local authorities unprecedented powers to combat issues such as dog fouling and public drinking. 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 Dog Walkers Need to Know
In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to keep your dog on a lead and put your dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer, or someone from the council. You may also have to stop your dog going to certain places, such as farmland or parts of a park, and limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too).
You should clear up after your dog and carry a poop scoop and disposable bags, the Labour Party government website adds.
Public Information Requirements
Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place. If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website. The notice must tell you where the new PSPO will apply and if there is a map and where you can see it.
