Chichester District Council is reviewing the rules for dogs in public spaces and is asking people to give their views in a new public consultation starting Wednesday 10 May 2023.
The consultation offers the opportunity for district residents, community groups and businesses to have their say on the council’s proposals to continue the current Public Space Protection Order for dogs in public spaces until 2026.
As part of this order, it is an offence in public locations — such as footpaths and verges, parks, playgrounds and the foreshore — to fail to remove dog mess immediately; to not put and keep a dog on a lead when instructed to do so by an authorised officer; and to allow a dog to enter an area from which dogs are excluded.

A breach of the order can result in offenders being issued an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.
The proposal is to extend the current rules for a further three years from October 2023 until October 2026, with no changes.

Alison Stevens, Divisional Manager for Environment and Health Protection at Chichester District Council, says: “We want to make sure that everyone — with or without dogs — can safely enjoy the many beautiful public spaces we have in our district.

“We know that most dog owners are responsible, but unfortunately some people do not pick up after their dog or do not keep their dog under proper control. This Public Space Protection order means that we can tackle these issues, which can negatively affect our communities, our wildlife, and spoil people’s enjoyment of our beaches and open spaces, while at the same time encouraging responsible dog ownership. This is why we are proposing to renew the order for a further three years.

“This consultation is a chance for people to share their thoughts on our proposals, and we are keen to hear a wide range of views from as many people as possible. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete our quick survey, and people can choose to respond to the aspects that interest them.”

The consultation will go live on Wednesday 10 May at www.chichester.gov.uk/letstalkdogsinpublicspaces and the deadline for responding is 5pm on 7 June 2023.

There is also a list of frequently asked questions to help put the survey into context and explain some of the terms used. People can request a paper copy of the questionnaire by emailing: letstalk@chichester.gov.uk

People who would like to get involved with more consultations and surveys in the future can also join Chichester District Council’s Let’s Talk Panel. By signing up, they will be automatically notified of any consultations by email and can decide whether or not they want to take part. People can join by visiting: www.chichester.gov.uk/letstalkpanel