Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods reporting the outcome of consultation on changes to the dog control orders for Leeds and seeking approval to implement further specified powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 with effect from 1 January 2012. The report also seeks approval for an enforcement policy in relation to the walking of more than four dogs at one time.

Further to Minute No. 110, 3^rd November 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting the outcomes arising from the consultation undertaken on changes to the Dog Control Orders for Leeds. The report also sought approval to implement further specified powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, with effect from 1st January 2012, in addition to an enforcement policy regarding the walking of more than four dogs at one time.  In determining this matter, the Board took into consideration all matters contained within the accompanying report.

Following enquiries raised regarding the level of consultation which had been undertaken with schools in respect of their potential inclusion within the updated Dog Exclusion Order, officers undertook to re-engage with those schools which to date had not expressed an interest in being included within the Order.

Responding to comments raised which related to the issue of dog fouling, officers undertook to do further work on this matter, specifically addressing the points made during the meeting, namely, the possibility of additional bin provision and also the potential inclusion within the Orders of those public parks affected by dog fouling which were used as play facilities by young people.

The Board received assurances in respect of the further issues which had been raised, specifically regarding the enforcement and prosecution processes, together with the highly visible approach required when publicising such Orders.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities) for the related work which they had undertaken on this issue.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outcomes arsing from the consultation be noted.

(b)  That a Dog Control (Dogs on Leads at All Times) Order in the prescribed form be approved, requiring that on the specified land, dogs should be on a lead at all times. (The specified land will comprise all carriageways and adjacent footpaths and grass verges within the Leeds City Council district and in cemeteries and crematoria as detailed within Appendix A to the submitted report).

(c)  That the existing Dog Control (Dogs on Leads by Direction) Order (requiring dogs to be put on a lead when the person in control of it is directed to do so by an authorised officer) be revoked and that a new Order in the same terms be approved, which applies throughout the Leeds district on any land to which the Dog Control (Dogs on Leads at All Times) Order does not apply and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment).

(d)  That the existing Dog Control (Exclusion) Order be revoked and replaced with a new Order with an updated schedule of land, as detailed within Appendix A to the submitted report, including other land designated for a specific purpose such as remembrance and wildlife gardens and school grounds where the schools have opted in to have such an order.

(e)  That the process for future review and consultation on the schedules of land within the Orders be agreed.

(f)  That the proposed Enforcement Policy for the Dog Specified Maximum Order be approved.

(Councillor Golton declared a personal interest in the decisions referred to within this minute, due to being a dog owner)