"The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy, walk and be healthy." (Charles Dickens), but the "journey of life is sweeter when traveled with a dog" (Unknown). What was it all aboutIn their commitment to tackle antisocial dog behaviour in relation to dogs, Cardiff Council are proposing to implement Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). Many responsible dog walkers fully support PSPOs that are well thought-out, well implemented and target those exhibiting irresponsible behaviours but not those that involve excluding dogs from areas such as marked sports pitches. In addition to this, we feel education and a proactive dog community supported by Cardiff Council are the way forward, with punitive measures for dog fouling. While the consultation is now closed we await final details and dates for its implementation. Updates 19 November 2018: Council suggest it is unlikely they will pursue excluding dogs from marked sports pitches and they reviewed the proposals at a Joint Committee Scrutiny on Monday 19 November 2018. The webcast of this meeting is now online for the next 6 months. 16 January 2019: Members of Cardiff Dog Action had an informal meeting this week (Monday afternoon) with Cllr Bradbury and the Senior Council Officers on how the revised PSPO is progressing. MORE 5 March 2019: Cardiff Council will be producing the draft PSPOs by mid March, which will then be discussed at an Environmental Scrutiny Committee before if goes to Cabinet later this month. 19 March 2019: Environmental Scrutiny discussion of draft PSPO (see Item 4 online with accompanying documents to download). MORE 21 March 2019: Cabinet Meeting, Item 3 on the agenda is PSPO - Dog Control. MORE 14 June 2019: Timeline
October 2019: Leave Only Pawprints Launch of 'Leave Only Pawprints' campaign, a friendly, non-confrontational way to tackle attitudes and behaviours around dog fouling (based on the successful 'Green Dog walkers' scheme HERE). You can download the booklet to pledge to 'leave only pawprints' on your next walk HERE. December 2019 Volunteer ambassador for the Leave Only Pawprints campaign announced HERE. |
PSPOs in a nutshell
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Cardiff Dog Action
Cardiff Dog Action was set up for three reasons:
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“We don’t want these powers to accidentally create a negative view of dog ownership within local communities by implementing undue restrictions, or inadvertently demonise responsible dog owners. … As such, we are worried by any move to forbid dogs from marked sports playing pitches [in Wrexham], particularly if adequate space for exercise is not available nearby. Responsible dog owners need to walk their dogs all year round, and need access to appropriate, accessible spaces to do so. … Opportunities should also be available for dogs to be able to exercise off the lead; allowing dogs to best express their normal behavioural patterns" RSPCA Cymru |