Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that sought the renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (Coventry Dog Control) for a further three years.

Cabinet approved the Public Space Protection Order (Coventry Dog Control) ‘the Order’ on  15^th June 2015 for a three year period (minute 97/14 referred). A Cabinet Consultative Committee, comprising representatives from a number of Park Friends Groups, the Dogs in Coventry Group, dog training organisations, a dog behavioural expert, the Sunday Football League, the visually impaired and two Elected Members of the Council, monitored the efficacy and effectiveness of the Order and made recommendations as deemed necessary.

The Order was required to assist with the enforcement of dog fouling offences, but also to specify: where dogs should be kept on leads, where dogs were prohibited, the maximum number of dogs that could be walked by one person; and enabled officers to request that a dog be put on a lead if problems were ensuing.

The City Council worked closely with the Consultative Committee, prior to and after the implementation of the Order. In response to recommendations from the Committee, an amendment was made to the Order which was approved by Cabinet on 4^th October 2016 (Minute 38/16 referred).

The Council had been pleased with the high levels of compliance particularly in the City’s parks, which had been achieved despite reduced enforcement resources. A great deal of the success was owed to those responsible dog owners who routinely challenged adverse behaviour whilst walking their own dogs.

A consultation on the renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (Coventry Dog Control), with one slight amendment in Allesley Park, received overwhelming support from the public, park friends groups and dog related organisations and businesses. 180 people responded to the consultation.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet approves the renewal of the Public Spaces Protection Order (Coventry Dog Control), with the inclusion of one additional ‘dogs on lead’ area in Allesley Park (Fairy Village) for a further three years.