Dogs are now being banned from marked sports pitches in Caerphilly borough.
After public consultation, in November 2021 Caerphilly County Borough Council approved an update to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to include new restrictions in relation to dog control.
Since the introduction of the PSPO in October 2017 over 2,136 complaints of dog fouling have been investigated. 64 fixed penalty notices have been served for either dog fouling or for failing to carry bags to clean up dog waste. There have also been 28 prosecutions of those who refused to pay the fine.
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A ten-week consultation with residents, Gwent Police, Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club was held in 2021. 85% of respondents agreed with the current restrictions and 54% agreed with the proposal to extend the order to ban dogs from marked sports pitches.
In May 2019, an informal consultation was carried out with 82 sports clubs across the borough. Out of the 24 clubs who responded, 88% supported prohibiting dogs from marked sports pitches.
Cory Cashman, 12, a rugby player at Risca Rugby Football Club said: “It’s not nice to see dog mess on the pitch when I’m playing with both friends and with the club; it stops us from being able to run and play freely for fear we could fall in it.”
The council hopes the change will promote responsible dog ownership and reduce complaints for issues such as dog fouling with the updated order. This allows the public access to dog-free or dog-controlled areas intended for recreational purposes and also intends to tackle issues relating to dogs causing a nuisance to others and also to reduce the potential health implications associated with dog faeces.
You can read about the former rugby player left with life-changing injuries after his leg got infected with dog poo here.
Here is a full list of rules attached to the updated PSPO:
- Excluding dogs from all enclosed children’s play and multi-use games areas
- Requiring dogs to be kept on leads in enclosed memorial gardens
- Requiring dog owners to remove dog faeces in public places
- Requiring dog owners to carry an appropriate receptacle for dealing with the waste that their dogs produce (that is to always have the means to pick their dog faeces)
- Requiring dog owners to put their dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on any public land where the dog is considered to be out of control or causing harm or distress to prevent a nuisance.
- Excluding dogs from marked playing pitches/areas
Regular daily patrols of the parks will take place to help educate and advise residents of the new restrictions that have come into force.
Colin Wilks, director of Risca Rugby Football Club said: “Risca RFC has, for the wrong reasons, a history with the effects of dog mess on pitches. The PSPO initiative is a very positive programme, to educate pet owners and to ensure the health and safety of all our players.”
