Dog control orders

Approved 12 March 2012

Dog Control Orders have been approved.

Housing and Environment Services have received approval from Cabinet to introduce Dog Control Orders to the borough. The original proposals were amended within the second Cabinet Report heard at the Cabinet meeting at Halifax Town Hall on the 12^th March: Cabinet Report: Proposed introduction of Dog Control Orders [PDF file 267KB]|.

The Dog Fouling Order will apply across the borough, but not to moorland and woodland. Persons in charge of dogs will be required to pick up after their dog has fouled, and it is a criminal offence not to do so, in line with what exists today;

The Dog on Lead Order will apply to some highways, and in all public car parks, allotments, unfenced children’s play areas, in all religious grounds (cemeteries, crematorium, mosques), and on school grounds. Dogs will be required to be kept on a lead when being walked in these areas;

The Dog on Lead by Direction Order will apply to canal towpaths, paths around reservoirs and other watercourses, parks, recreation grounds, some public rights of way, Sites of Ecological or Geological Interest, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Local Nature Reserves. Dogs will be required to be put and kept on a lead by Authorised Officers if the dog is causing a nuisance to other land users;

The Dog Exclusion Order will apply to school playing fields, outdoor fenced children’s play areas, tennis courts, bowling greens, skate parks, and the following:

2 fenced pitches at Four Fields Playing Fields, Illingworth;
1 fenced football pitch at Carr Green Recreation Ground, Rastrick;
2 unfenced football pitches at Beechwood Park / Recreation Ground, Holmfield;
1 fenced football pitch at Greetland Goldfields, Greetland; and
1 fenced football pitch at Shroggs Park, Halifax.

Dogs will not be permitted to enter these areas.

The Dogs Specified Maximum Order will apply to:

Beechwood Park, Holmfield;
Midgley Recreation Ground, Luddendenfoot;
Ogden Water, Ogden;
Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge; and
Roils Head Playing Fields, Halifax.

A person will not be permitted to walk more than six dogs in these areas.

Please note that none of the Orders will apply to Forestry Commission-owned / managed land. There will also be exceptions for persons who are registered disabled and are in charge of assistance dogs from one of the prescribed charities.

The Orders are anticipated to come into force on or after Wednesday 1st August 2012. Anybody committing a criminal offence under these Orders will be served with an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice (reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days) or prosecuted. Over the coming months, the Council will be examining in detail all of the land within the borough to which the Orders will apply. The Council will enable persons in charge of dogs to fully understand which Orders apply to which areas of land before the Orders come into force. More detail and information will follow.

The Council will also be considering the availability and placement of bins and signs in various public spaces across the borough. Enforcement of litter offences on sports pitches across the borough will also be strengthened.

If you have any questions regarding the forthcoming Dog Control Orders, please contact:

Customer First on 0845 245 6000, or e-mail dogcontrolorders@calderdale.gov.uk.