Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Local councils and the Police were given powers to introduce PSPOs in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to deal with anti-social behaviour in a reasonable and proportionate manner.

Before issuing a PSPO the Council must consult with relevant organisations including the Police, residents who will be affected by the restrictions, the land owner and animal welfare experts. 

Councils across Wales have been looking at a range of conditions as part of their PSPOs including:

• Making it an offence for a person not to clean up dog faeces
• Requiring all dog walkers to carry an appropriate receptacle for dealing with their dog's waste
• Keeping dogs on leads in playgrounds and cemeteries owned by the council
• Making it an offence for a person not to put a dog on a lead when instructed to do so by an authorised person
• Excluding dogs from Children's play areas, multi-use games areas and marked sports playing pitches
• Requiring owners to put their dog on a lead when walking on public roads and pavements.

RSPCA Cymru has been responding to PSPOs consultations by councils across Wales ensuring that responsible dog owners are still able to meet the needs of their dogs under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, especially if adequate space nearby was not available despite being against Defra's guidance for PSPOs and would prohibit the dog from expressing normal behaviour such as being able to run free off the lead.