Carmarthenshire dog control order extended to 2028
It will now remain in force until June 2028.
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "The majority of dog owners in Carmarthenshire act responsibly and we thank them for playing their part in keeping our communities clean.
"We remain disappointed that a minority continue to ignore the rules and allow their dogs to foul in public places or cause nuisance to others.
"It's not only unpleasant, but also a risk to public health and spoils the enjoyment of shared spaces for everyone.
"This extension of the PSPO reflects our determination to tackle these issues and support the responsible majority.
"We all have a role to play in protecting our parks, footpaths, and beaches for current and future generations."
The PSPO makes it an offence to fail to clean up after a dog on public land, refuse to put a dog on a lead when directed by an authorised officer, and allow a dog into an enclosed children's play area.
Offenders can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days, or face prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.
Since 2016, the council has received more than 3,400 complaints related to dog fouling and dog control, issued 136 fixed penalty notices, and pursued seven prosecutions for non-payment.
The order includes exemptions for people with disabilities and for working dogs.
Public support for the PSPO remains strong, with a consultation in late 2024 showing that 98 per cent of respondents supported the requirement to clean up after dogs.
In total, 92 per cent backed extending the order for another three years.
The council said it will continue to apply a "fair and proportionate approach" to enforcement, especially regarding exemptions for assistance dogs.
A formal extension order will now be published, and an updated version of the 2016 order will be made available on the council's website.
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Carmarthenshire dog control order extended to 2028
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Carmarthenshire, first introduced in 2016, aims to tackle dog fouling and other issues related to irresponsible dog ownership. It will now remain in force until June 2028. Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "The majority of dog owners in Carmarthenshire act responsibly and we thank them for playing their part in keeping our communities clean. "We remain disappointed that a minority continue to ignore the rules and allow their dogs to foul in public places or cause nuisance to others. "It's not only unpleasant, but also a risk to public health and spoils the enjoyment of shared spaces for everyone. "This extension of the PSPO reflects our determination to tackle these issues and support the responsible majority. "We all have a role to play in protecting our parks, footpaths, and beaches for current and future generations." The PSPO makes it an offence to fail to clean up after a dog on public land, refuse to put a dog on a lead when directed by an authorised officer, and allow a dog into an enclosed children's play area. Offenders can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days, or face prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000. Since 2016, the council has received more than 3,400 complaints related to dog fouling and dog control, issued 136 fixed penalty notices, and pursued seven prosecutions for non-payment. The order includes exemptions for people with disabilities and for working dogs. Public support for the PSPO remains strong, with a consultation in late 2024 showing that 98 per cent of respondents supported the requirement to clean up after dogs. In total, 92 per cent backed extending the order for another three years. The council said it will continue to apply a "fair and proportionate approach" to enforcement, especially regarding exemptions for assistance dogs. A formal extension order will now be published, and an updated version of the 2016 order will be made available on the council's website.
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