Issue - meetings

Denise Snelson to report on the proposal by Cheshire West and Chester Council to establish a Borough wide Dog Control Order

Denise Snelson reported that Cheshire West and Chester were looking to establish a Borough wide Dog Control Order making it an offence to fail to remove dog faeces.  The Order, if adopted, would remove a level of public confusion that existed.  Much of the Borough’s area was already covered by the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996 but there were also pockets of land where Dog Control Orders had been adopted.

Dog Control Orders were seen as the most appropriate and proportionate mechanism through which dog fouling could be addressed.  There was widespread public support for orders concerning the removal of dog faeces and an acceptance by dog owners that cleaning up after their dog had fouled was their responsibility.

As the Council was considering making a Dog Control Order which would affect open access land, it was required to consult with the appropriate access authority. 

The Forum was asked for their views on the proposal in respect of open access land in Cheshire West.  Members were not against the making of an order but felt that enforcement should be considered at the same time to ensure that resources would be in place to ensure that it was effective.