Dog owners could face new restrictions in two Lichfield district parks under new protection orders
Dog owners could face new restrictions in two Lichfield district parks as councillors launch a consultation on new public spaces protection orders (PSPO). Earlier this week Lichfield District Council’s regulatory and licensing committee agreed to the consultation.
The parks at Hill Ridware Village Hall Play Area and Open Space and Drayton Bassett Park have been chosen due to a request for extra support from the village trustee and parish council.
Initial proposals suggested banning dogs entirely from Hill Ridware park and requiring dogs to be kept on leads no longer than two metres in Drayton Bassett park. However changes to the consultation were proposed as a complete ban on dogs at Hill Ridware ‘seemed a bit much’.
Councillor Laura Ennis said: “I think it’s a bit far to be banning a dog from the whole field itself. I understand, I have had dogs, most people are responsible and do pick up after themselves or look after them but obviously you’ve got ones that aren’t as responsible but I can understand banning them from the park, you’ve got kids who are scared of dogs and things but from the whole field seemed a bit much for me.”
If found guilty of an offence a £100 fixed penalty notice is issued. However, repeat offenders or those who do not pay the original penalty notice could be prosecuted and the maximum fine on summary conviction is £1000.
Councillor Di Evans questions how the restrictions would be enforced. She said: “The one thing that does concern me is how these actually get enforced because obviously you’re not going to have somebody that watches 24 hours of the day and a lot of people once they start getting away with it they think they can get away with it. So is it really enforced quite vigorously?”
A council officer responded: “The reality is we have limited resources. What tends to happen in these situations is we’re getting feedback that people are breaking the order then we will focus in that area to do some enforcement work.”
Now, a consultation is set to be launched, if no significant objections are made the committee will recommend that the PSPO is made. However, if objections are made the committee will consider the objections before a final decision is made.
