January 15, 2020 10.38 am This story is over 50 months old

Boston council proposes dog fouling fines extension

It wants to extend it for another three years
Photo: Brother Magneto

Senior Boston councillors are expected to extend a public space protection order on dog fouling and nuisance dogs for a further three years.

The order was introduced by the borough council in February 2017 under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It saw fines for dog fouling double from £50 to £100.

The new powers also saw owners fined if they allowed their dog into an enclosed children’s play area or refused to put a dangerous or nuisance dog on a lead.

Now, council officials have recommended that the order is extended for a further three years.

In a report to go before councillors, Christian Allen, head of environmental services at the council, said the measure had been successful in the town.

“During the last three years there has been a significant decrease in anti-social behaviour relating to irresponsible dog ownership and we believe this to be attributable to the current proactive order,” he said.

“Extending the PSPO provides continuity for continuation of the deterrent.”

According to council figures, in the year before the order was introduced a total of 160 complaints were made to the council over dog fouling and nuisance dogs.

Between January and December 2019, just 45 were received by the authority.

Senior councillors will discuss the extension at a cabinet meeting on January 22.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from our coverage every week and insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.