Fixed penalty notice proposed for owners of defecating dogs without bag ‘designed for the purpose’ of holding for dog poo

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Feb 4th, 2020

Dog owners in Wrexham could soon be required to carry an appropriate receptacle or bag to pick-up their dog’s faeces or face a fine, or even prosecution if the fine is not paid.

The proposal features as part of a consultation currently being undertaken by Wrexham Council about extending the current dog control PSPO (Public Space Protection Order), and the local authority ‘would be interested in your views on the matter’.

As part of the current Order dogs must be kept on their leads in car parks and around visitor centres around all country parks in Wrexham. They can be let off their lead when not in these areas.

The regulations were introduced two years ago after a public consultation found support for control of dogs in designated areas in Wrexham’s country parks and around visitor centres and car parks.





Under the PSPO dog owners are required to:

– Keep dogs away from bowling green playing surfaces, the playing areas of marked sports pitched and fenced children’s play areas, skate parks, tennis courts and multi use games areas. (Owners with assisted dogs are excluded)

– Place their dogs on a lead when directed by an Authorised Officer.

– Place their dogs on a lead around visitor centres and car parks in the parks and bowling greens.

– Place their dogs on a lead on a public road and pavement.

However Wrexham Council are looking to include a condition that requires a person who is in control of a dog, to be carrying an appropriate receptacle or bag to remove their dog’s faeces forthwith.

The dog fouling conditions also covers possible excuses, and being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise), or not having a device for or other suitable means of removing the faeces, shall not be a reasonable excuse for failing to remove the faeces.

There is no details of what poo collection ‘device’ Wrexham Council approve of or if additional bins will be installed across the county borough for owners to dispose of the ‘device’ once it’s been used.

For those who use shop carrier bags or recycle other such bags from third parties may have to rethink as the council specifically state the bag must have been ‘designed for the purpose’ of holding dog poo, “An ‘appropriate receptacle’ means any bag or receptacle which is designed for the purpose of holding dog faeces for disposal”.

A fixed penalty notice of £100 can be issued to anyone found in breach of the PSPO’s conditions, and if you do not pay you could face prosecution.

If put in place the new PSPO will begin on the 31st March 2020 until 31st March 2023 unless extended by further Orders under the Council’s statutory powers.

You can provide your feedback in the consultation on the yourvoicewrexham website until February 27th.

If you would like to provide the feedback to the proposed Order in writing, stating the reasons for your views or objections, email joanne.rodgers@wrexham.gov.uk or by post to The Chief Officer Environment and Technical Services Department, Wrexham County Borough Council, The Guildhall, Wrexham, LL11 1RA