Another Council Introduces Dog Control Orders

KC Dog, the Kennel Club scheme in place to help dog owners protect their rights and freedoms, is alerting all dog-owning residents in Rochford to the consultation Rochford Council is currently running on its proposed dog control orders.

The proposed dog control orders in Rochford would make it an offence to not have a dog on a lead in certain areas of the town, and ban them altogether from other areas. For more information on the proposed dog control orders, visit http://www.rochford.gov.uk/rdc/main.asp?page=1195

The consultation for these orders runs until 22nd September 2007, after which the consultation will be closed.

As this is the only period of time residents will be asked for their input on the dog control orders, KC Dog encourages any concerned residents to have their say whilst they can.

Residents should contact and join KC Dog for support and advice on the proposals. KC Dog is free to join, and exists to protect the rights of dog owners by raising awareness of, and advising on, local dog control orders. It is a central information sharing point, with a continually updated web page www.kcdog.org.uk , and a bi-monthly news bulletin.

Members of KC Dog are given advice and support, and local authorities are also helped to formulate reasonable and proportionate dog control orders under the guidance of the Act.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said; “KC Dog is an information network, free to join, whose members benefit from up-to-date news on dog control orders. All dog owners are urged to join KC Dog, and be a part of this reciprocal network by acting as our eyes and ears. Defra has given full support to the scheme.”

Local authorities have had increased powers over dog owners across the UK since the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act came into force in April 2006.

Dog control orders may include all or some of the offences below. Each council must consult and can implement dog control orders according to guidance issued under the Act.

Failing to remove dog faeces from land to which the order applies.
Not keeping a dog on a lead when on land to which the order applies.
Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.
Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.
Taking onto any land in respect of which the order applies, more than a maximum number of dogs.

Prior to enforcing dog control orders, local authorities must consult with members of the local public as well as other councils in their area and Local Access Forums, and in some cases, Natural England.

However, when consulting with the public councils are only legally obliged to put a small advert in the local paper advertising the consultation period, which is often not seen by local residents.