Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council today agreed to renew its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the exercising of dogs and clearing up of dog fouling on land throughout the borough. The previous PSPO was introduced in 2019 for a period of 3 years and was due to expire at the end of October.

The PSPO aims to help owners behave responsibly in areas that are enjoyed by others. It outlines requirements and restrictions for dog owners and ensures that shared spaces are usable for all Blaenau’s residents to enjoy.

Blaenau Gwent CBC will continue to apply a fixed penalty notice of £100 for offences contained within the Public Space Protection Orders. Failure to pay the fixed penalty notice will result in the authority taking legal action which may result in a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale, which is currently £1,000.

Councillor Helen Cunningham, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Place and Environment said:
“The renewed PSPO will continue to help keep our community spaces and specific land free from dog fouling. Although the vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and adhere to any regulations regarding their dogs. The continued issuing of a fixed penalty notice to irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their dogs will help keep our communities safe and clean.”

Land covered by the renewed Public Space Protection Order:
• The dog fouling aspect of the public space protection order will continue to apply to all land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access within the area of Blaenau Gwent.

• The dog exclusion areas and the dogs on lead areas relate to specific areas of land outlined by the location plans.