In 2017 Boston Borough Council exercised its power under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to make a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the controlling of dogs. The order was in place for three years.
The Council had the option to extend the current dog control PSPO for a further three years so during October, November and December 2019 we consulted with members of the public who overwhelmingly supported the extension.
The controls are now in place until February 2023.
Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the controlling of dogs
Dog Fouling
i. It will be an offence for any person in charge of a dog, which defecates on land specified within the Order, to fail to remove the faeces forthwith, unless he can show a reasonable excuse for failing to do so or the owner/occupier of the land has consented to his failing to do so.
ii. It will be an offence for any person in charge of a dog to fail to provide evidence of the means of a suitable receptacle to pick up dog faeces when requested to do so by an authorised officer
This control will apply to all land within the administrative area of the Borough of Boston to which the public have access.
The offence does not apply to a person who is registered as a blind person, or to a person who is deaf in respect of a dog trained by Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and upon which he relies for assistance, or to a person who has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of a dog trained by a prescribed charity and upon which they rely for assistance.
Dog Exclusion
i. It will be an offence for any person in charge of a dog to take the dog onto or permit the dog to enter or remain on land within a dog exclusion zone unless he can show a reasonable excuse for doing so or the owner/occupier of the land has consented to his doing so.
This control will apply to enclosed children’s play areas within the administrative area of the Borough of Boston to which the public have access.
The offence does not apply to a person who is registered as a blind person, or to a person who is deaf in respect of a dog trained by Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and upon which he relies for assistance, or to a person who has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of a dog trained by a prescribed charity and upon which they rely for assistance.
Dogs on lead by direction
i. It will be an offence for any person in charge of a dog to fail to put and keep the dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer unless he can show a reasonable excuse for failing to do so or the owner/occupier of the land has consented to his failing to do so.
This control will apply to all land within the administrative area of the Borough of Boston to which the public have access.
Fixed penalty notices
Boston Borough Council intends to issue fixed penalty notices to enforce the controls, the fine will be £100 and failure to pay may lead to summary conviction and a fine not exceeding level 3 on the Standard Scale.
For any queries please contact waste@boston.gov.uk