1. Dog controls
From 1 April 2022 we have extended the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for a further three years until 31 March 2025. The PSPO is aimed at reducing irresponsible dog ownership and making Teignbridge an even cleaner and greener place. This follows a public consultation with residents, visitors, businesses and statutory consultees.
The only amendment made was a reduction of the lead length from two metres to a one metre fixed lead. This applies when you are walking your dog on a public highway, a footway, footpath or cycle track.
What is a PSPO?
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) allow councils to enforce and manage particular anti-social activities within a specified area. They are used where needed to help tackle persistent issues that are damaging communities or the environment.
They help us to deal with some of the issues local residents and businesses face on a daily basis, or tell us are a problem for them.
The rules
You will have to:
- pick up after your dog in public places. Bagged dog waste can be put in public litter bins where there are no accessible dog waste bins.
- not walk your dog on some beaches from 1 April to 30 September
- keep your dog out of areas signed as dog exclusion areas (for example, children’s play parks)
- keep your dog on a lead in areas where Teignbridge Council signs are indicating that it is a dogs on lead area
- keep your dog on a fixed lead (which includes a fixed extendable lead), of no more than 1 metre in length, when on or adjacent to the public highway, a footway, footpath or cycle track
- keep your dog on a lead when directed by an authorised Officer or Police Officer to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog which is likely to cause annoyance or danger to any other person or animal.
- as an individual walk a maximum of 6 dogs (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
- carry sufficient dog poo bags or other appropriate means to pick up dog faeces
If you ignore a PSPO you can be fined:
- £100 on the spot (a fixed penalty notice)
- up to £1,000 if it goes to court
Beaches with PSPO restrictions
All year dog friendly beaches
The following beaches remain dog friendly all year round:
Exemptions
Nothing in the PSPO shall apply to –
(i) A person who is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948 if they are alone with the dog; or
(ii) A person with a disability affecting their mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or move everyday objects or who relies upon a dog trained by any prescribed charity (and is clearly identified) for assistance if they are alone with the dog.
A 'prescribed charity' including but not limited to
- Dogs for the Disabled (Registered Charity no. 700454
- Support Dogs (Registered Charity no. 1088281)
- Canine Partners for Independence (Registered Charity no. 803680)
(iii) Any police dog or fire dog. The term 'police dog' or 'fire dog' is deemed to be any dog, which is trained, or is undergoing structured training on behalf of the Chief Police Officer or Chief Fire Officer for the relevant service’s dog unit. All reference to the term ‘dog’ also includes bitches and puppies belonging to that service that are subject to any separate contractual conditions and arrangements.
(iv) Working dogs: When actually working e.g. those working on a land under the control of a farm worker when moving livestock would not expected to be on a lead. Working dogs includes dogs that are being used in connection with emergency Search & Rescue, Law Enforcement and the work of HM Armed Forces.
Definitions
A footway is a pavement or path running alongside a road over which the public has a right of way on foot only. A footway forms part of the highway but is not a highway in its own right.
A footpath is a way over which the public has a right of way on foot only and which is not a footway.
A cycle track which defines a cycle track as a way over which the public have a right of way on pedal cycles with or without a right of way on foot.
A highway is any public street, public alley, or public road/lane, including a privately financed, constructed, or maintained road that is regularly and openly travelled by the general public.
A fixed lead is a fixed length or is an extendable lead in a fixed position set at no more than 1 metre in length which attaches to your dog’s collar or harness.