Public Space Protection Orders - Dog Control 2023

Overview

On 20 October 2020, Birmingham City Council implemented 5 Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). The PSPOs were brought in to tackle irresponsible dog owners who failed to control or clear up after their dogs. Particular concerns involved dog fouling and dogs that were allowed to roam loose on the roads and straying into children’s play arears and onto school land. A full public consultation was carried out prior to the PSPOs being made. These PSPOs replaced those made in 2017.  

All PSPOs last for 3 years and then they must be redeclared. The current PSPOs will cease to be in effect on 19 October 2023. Birmingham City Council wishes to renew the PSPOs in place and are required to carry out a public consultation. 

Current Public Space Protection Orders

1. The Fouling of Land by Dogs – it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to remove faeces forthwith from any land to which the public have access.
2. The Dogs on Leads – it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to ensure that a dog is kept on a lead at all times on all public roads, adjoining footways, and verges excluding designated parks.
3. The Dogs Exclusion – it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog to permit the dog to enter into or remain in any of the following areas:

• any clearly demarcated children's play area, and
• School land.

4. The Dogs on Leads by Direction – it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to put their dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on any land to which the public have access and is open to the air.
5. The Dogs (specified Maximum) – it is an offence for any person to take more than four dogs onto open land in Birmingham.

Further details of the Public Space Protection Orders may be found at;

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/dogcontrol

Please note there are exemptions for Assistance Dogs.

Why your views matter

The current PSPO’s will cease to be in effect from 19 October 2023, it is proposed to extend the 5 Public Space Protection Orders for a further 3 years and as such we are required to carry out a further consultation.

There will be no changes made to the requirements contained in the current Orders which are outlined below:

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE DOGS