We would like to hear the views of people who live in Torbay on the proposal to extend the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog fouling. 

A PSPO is a positive way to help prevent anti-social behaviour. It can provide an effective response to some of the issues that local people and businesses face on a daily basis.  

We are proposing to extend the existing Torbay wide PSPO for dog fouling, due to expire in April 2024. The extension would ensure the PSPO remains in place until April 2027.  Under the conditions of the PSPO, someone can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100 if they fail to pick up after their dog immediately after the dog has fouled on public land. 

A responsible dog owner should have sight of their dog at all times, be aware of what it is doing, and always carry enough poo bags to be able to pick up after the dog. Forgetting to take bags is not an excuse. If an owner fails to take enough bags on a dog walk and is then unable to pick up after their dog, the owner will be in breach of the PSPO and may receive an FPN.  

This PSPO is part of a multi-pronged approach recently announced that includes the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders around dog fouling and alcohol consumption. This approach is also introducing more Street Wardens and new Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) and Environmental Crime Enforcement Officers. This will at least double the number of ASB Enforcement Officers that are currently working across Torbay. 

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Public Space Protection Orders are a great tool for us to manage anti-social behaviour across the Bay. We recognise that most dog owners are responsible and will always clear up after their dog.  The extension will simply allow us to ensure that all dog owners can be made aware of their responsibilities when out walking in Torbay and enable us to challenge the irresponsible minority.  

“I would encourage everyone who lives in the Bay to look at the information about these orders and complete the survey.” 

This PSPO applies to all land and places the public has access to within the Torbay Council area, for example, roads, pavements, public footpaths, alleyways, grass verges, beaches and parks including woodland.  It will also apply to all areas of land or woodland managed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. 

The consultation on the extension to the PSPO is now open and will close at midnight on Sunday 28 January. For more information on the order, and to complete the consultation, please visit: Consultations - Torbay Council 

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