Dog issues have their day
PEOPLE are being urged to give their opinions on dog control in their neighbourhood following the introduction of a new law. Stevenage Borough Council receives 500 complaints a year about dog-related issues but until now had limited powers to deal with th
PEOPLE are being urged to give their opinions on dog control in their neighbourhood following the introduction of a new law.
Stevenage Borough Council receives 500 complaints a year about dog-related issues but until now had limited powers to deal with them.
Under the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, councils are now able to ban dogs from certain places such as parks or children's play areas.
They are also able to limit the number of dogs that someone can walk at any one time, and require dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in public places.
This could be extended to the whole town or just certain areas such as shopping precincts or near main roads.
Now the council is asking its residents which, if any, of these controls should be introduced.
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Richard Henry, executive councillor for environment and e-government, said: "We must try to balance people's right to walk and exercise their dogs with the need to ensure that dogs do not cause a nuisance or be a danger to others and we would like to know what you think."
There is an online questionnaire at www.stevenage.gov.uk/dogconsultation Comments are also welcome by contacting the environmental health and licensing unit on 01438 242908 or envhealth@stevenage.gov.uk
