Responsible dog owners and their dogs are welcomed into Southampton’s open spaces and this is an opportunity to have your say on the legislation that applies to the exercising of dogs and clearing up of dog fouling in the parks and open spaces across the city.
Results of the consultation are available on the Dog Friendly Parks pages.
What currently happens?
There is already a citywide requirement for dog owners to clear up after their dog has fouled. This is known as the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. If owners fail to do this they will be offered a fixed penalty notice, which if they don’t accept or pay within a specified time, will result in a court appearance.
Dogs are currently excluded from play areas, land used by education and generally from ponds, lakes and streams in other green spaces. Dogs are allowed in the ornamental and cemetery lakes on the common but are excluded from doing so due to the sensitive nature of the wildlife. These measures were put in place as it was considered that children using play areas and education land should be able to do so without coming across dog fouling or out of control dogs. In the case of lakes and ponds these are considered sensitive for wildlife.
What is changing?
A new procedure known as Dog Control Orders has replaced the system of byelaws and the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
It means that all of the existing measures will remain until they are replaced by a dog control order. The city council propose to introduce four types of Dog Control Order:
The Dogs Exclusion (The City of Southampton) Order 2011
This order builds on policy already in place in Southampton where dogs are not allowed into play areas, on land used by education or in the lakes/ponds on the Common and East Park. Children using play areas and education land should be able to do so without coming across dog fouling or out of control dogs. In the case of the lakes and ponds these are considered sensitive for wildlife, a specific area has been set aside in the fishing lake on the Common for dogs to bathe. A full ban of dogs in these areas is therefore considered to be the best way to achieve this.
The Dogs on Lead (The City of Southampton) Order 2011
There are certain areas in Southampton which are more sensitive for their users and in these areas we ask that dogs are under closer control by being on a lead. One area is cemeteries, where people visiting graves prefer dogs to be under control and not roaming or fouling on graves (even if it is cleared up). Another area where people are sensitive about dogs roaming and fouling is on allotments plots. Therefore this order enforces that on allotments and in Cemeteries dogs are kept on a lead at all times.
The Fouling of Land by Dogs (The City of Southampton) Order 2011
This order updates current legislation and enables the Council to enforce that dog fouling is picked up in all open spaces across the city.
The Dogs on Leads by Direction (The City of Southampton) Order 2011
With the exception of above, as is the case now, dogs are allowed to roam off of leads in all open spaces in Southampton. However, we do ask that they are still under control and can be called and obey orders from their owner. If it is clear that a dog is not able to be kept under control, then this order will enable Officers of the Council to ask that the dog is placed on a lead.
Has much changed?
The majority of areas will have no change to the current measures in place.
Generally, the changes will be to:
include all open space rather than just Southampton Parks/Pleasure grounds
introduce greater control of dogs in more sensitive areas
promote responsible behaviour through the ability to ask that dogs are placed on a lead when out of control
Why are we consulting?
The city council has a legal duty to consult on the proposed dog control orders before they are introduced. This formal period will begin when the Notices are placed in the Echo. This will be on 7 February 2011. The formal consultation will then run from 7th February 2011 until 7th March 2011. Copies of the orders and plans will be available to view at Gateway, in One Guildhall Square during the usual office hours. Alternatively you can view this information online, by clicking on the documents at the bottom of this page and following the links to the corporate mapping system.
At the end of the formal consultation period, we will consider any representations that are made before deciding whether to make any changes or proceed to confirm the order.
Dog Control Maps
Link to Mapping System:
http://map.southampton.gov.uk/gis/
On entering the mapping system you can view the Dog Control Orders in two ways.
1 load all 4 layers from the “Add Information to Map” drop down list.
2 You can access them as individual layers from the “Add individual layers to Map” layer tree view (Environment theme)
To access the individual layers you will need to switch on the more detailed view using the chevron button found towards the top of the page under User Options. The Draft Dog Control Order maps can then be found under “Environment” on the left hand side.
How do I comment on the proposals?
If you would like to comment on the dog control orders proposed, this should be made no later than 4th March 2011, in one of the following ways:
Email: parks@southampton.gov.uk
Please ensure you include the name of open space you are commenting on (this is included on the mapping system), your name and address
In Person: by visiting Gateway, One Guildhall Square, Southampton SO14 7FP during the usual office hours.
Copies of the orders and plans will be available to view and you will be able to write and submit your comments on a paper form as above please ensure you include the name of open space you are commenting on (this is included on the maps), your name and address
Write to: Nick Yeats, Neighbourhood Services, Trees, Allotments and Park Improvements Manager, Floor 3, One Guildhall Square, SO14 7FP
If you need further information, please telephone 023 8083 2713
Southampton City Council
