Protecting public spaces

Dog fouling

Within the area covered by our public space protection order, dog faeces must be removed by the person in charge of the dog. Failing to remove the faeces from the land directly will result in an offence being committed, unless you have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so, or the owner of the land has given consent.

Dogs on lead - by order

Within our public space protection order, dogs must be put on a lead of a maximum length of four metres in public spaces, if directed to do so by an authorised officer such as a council enforcement officer. This is unless you have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so, or the owner of the land has given consent.

The authorised officer will instruct a dog owner to put a lead on their dog to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog that is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person, bird or animal. This instruction is known as Leads by Order.

Dogs on leads - enforcement areas

Within our public space protection order, dogs must be kept on leads in the following areas:

• Ashby Road Cemetery, Hinckley
• Hollycroft park, Hinckley, in the following areas:
  • Bandstand
  • Pitch and putt
  • Bowling green
  • Tennis court
  • Surrounding areas
• Holy Rood Church, Main Street, Bagworth
• St Peters Church, Main Street, Thornton
• Playing fields, Fox’s Covert, Fenny Drayton
• Playing fields, Ormes Lane, Ratcliffe Culey
• Markfield Community Park, Mayflower Close, Markfield
• Beacon Field, Beacon Close, Groby, on the surfaced footpath within the site

Dog restricted areas

Within our public space protection order, dogs must not enter the following areas:

• Memorial Playing Field, Church Road, Witherley
• Within enclosed play areas or enclosed multi-use game areas across the whole of the borough
• Outside the surfaced footpath of Beacon Field, Beacon Close, Groby
  • Dogs are allowed on a lead on the surfaced footpath within the site

Unless you have a reasonable excuse for entering the land, or the owner of the land has given consent.

Exemptions

Restrictions on dogs will not apply to a person who:

• Is registered as blind in a register compiled under section 29, National Assistance Act 1948
• Has a disability which affects mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of dog training by a prescribed charity and upon which they rely for assistance

Further information

For the purposes of our public space protection order:

• The dog owner is responsible for the dog, except where someone else is in charge of the dog at the time of the incident
• The placing of faeces in a receptacle on the land, which is provided for the disposal of waste, shall be sufficient removal from the land (for example, a litter bin or a dog waste bin)
• We will not accept the following as reasonable excuses for failing to remove the faeces:
  • Being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being near to your dog or otherwise)
  • Not having a device for the means of removing the faeces

Last updated: 21/05/2024 13:30