Dogs on the Playing Field

Published: 12 December 2019

At this week’s meeting of the Parish Council, a resident asked whether Councils have the power to ban dogs from the playing fields at Mill Lane. We were unable at the time to give the specific legislation, but we can now do so.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 has given powers to councils to force dog owners to keep their dogs on lead, ban dogs from designated areas and to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) to anyone breaking council rules.

The Dog Control Orders stipulate the following offences:

1. Failing to remove dog faeces.

2. Not keeping a dog on lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.

3. Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.

4. Taking no more than the specified number of dogs (which a person may take) onto land.

The Dog Control Order is enforceable by District Councils, County Councils which don't have a district council, London Borough Councils, Common Council of the City of London and secondary authorities including Parish Councils.

A Dog Control Order can be made in respect of any land which is open to the air on at least one side and that remains open to the air at all times. This includes but is not limited to:

Village greens
Playing fields
Roads, highways and other right of way
Bus shelters
Railway Platforms
Outdoor markets
Private gardens open to the public
Farm land