New dog exclusion areas confirmed by city council

Dog owners can be punished if they take their pet into areas where they are not allowed, such as a ball court, skate park or fenced children's play area

Eight new dog exclusion zones have been confirmed in Leicester after the city council extended an order to ensure owners behave responsibly with their pets.

Leicester City Council confirmed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on dog control has been renewed for three years.

Under the order, action can be taken against owners who do not pick up after their dogs, refuse to put their dogs on a lead when asked to do so by authorised officers, or take their dogs into an enclosed area where they are not allowed.

The new areas where dogs are not allowed include multi-use games areas at College Green in Hallaton Road and Victoria Park, as well as the Vernon Street play area.

The other five new areas are the new ball court at Rally Park, the ball court at Hadrian Open Space in Bewcastle Road, St Margaret's Pastures skate park, the play area at Onyx Crescent in Troon, and the ball court at Fosse Recreation Ground.

A fixed penalty notice of £100 can be given to owners who do not adhere to the restrictions, the council said.

The order was due to run out at the end of November, as it needs to be renewed every three years, but it has now been extended after a public consultation.

The consultation asked if people agreed with extending the PSPO and with the variations to areas where dogs were not allowed.

Deputy city mayor Elly Cutkelvin, who leads on regulatory services, said: "I'm very pleased that we will be able to continue to use these powers to ensure that dog owners behave responsibly – something which the vast majority of them already do.

"Picking up after your dog and ensuring it is under control is something every dog owner must do.

"Our consultation results show overwhelming public support for this."