New Dog Control Measures Now in Force Across Wrexham

New measures which require owners to keep their dogs on leads while on pavements and around the visitor centres of country parks, are now in force.

The measures, which come under Wrexham’s new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), came into force across the county borough today.

The new measures were backed unanimously by members of the Executive Board in December 2016 and replace the previous Dog Control Orders.

Under the new PSPO dog owners will be required to:

– 

Remove their dogs’ faeces from all public places within the county borough.

– 

Exclude dogs from bowling green playing surfaces, the playing areas of marked sports pitched and fenced children’s play areas, skate parks, tennis courts and multi-use games areas.  (Owners with assisted dogs are excluded)

– Place their dogs on a lead when directed by an Authorised Officer.

– Place their dogs on a lead around visitor centres and car parks in the parks and bowling greens.

– 

Place their dogs on a lead on a public road and pavement.

The new measures have been introduced after a public consultation found there was strong support for control of dogs in designated areas in the county borough’s country parks and around visitor centres and car parks.

The PSPO also features measures to continue tackling dog fouling, which has been a long-running problem across the Wrexham area. Earlier this month Wrexham.com reported that 102 fines for dog fouling had been issued in the past 12 months – this is compared to just 21 in the previous two years.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said:

”Dog owners should be aware of the new measures and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation to help us reach this position.

“Some parts of the measures are new such as keeping your dog on a lead on all public roads and pavements and dog owners should make themselves familiar with them all.

“Not picking up after a dog has fouled has and always will be an offence and is something people feel particularly strongly about and I am pleased that enforcement in this particular area is proving successful with officers reporting more dog owners picking up after their dog has fouled.

“Responsible dog owners will have nothing to fear from the new measures.”