Dog fouling complaints reach 1,400 in four years

A public space protection order cracking down on dog fouling could be extended by Bradford Council

More than 1,400 complaints about dog fouling have been made in Bradford over a four-year period.

Bradford Council said it was contacted 1,402 times about dog mess between January 2020 and December 2023.

The figures have been published as the council reviews whether to extend a public space protection order (PSPO), which allows it to penalise dog owners for breaking certain rules.

A report published by Bradford Council said the numbers "demonstrated" why the order should "remain in place".

The council brought in the PSPO in 2017 in an effort to clamp down on dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

The order also allows the council to fine owners who fail to keep their dogs on leads around lakes and ponds, as well as in parks while organised sport or events are taking place.

Having been extended for three years in 2021, the order will expire at the end of May this year, unless it is extended again.

A report, which will go before a council committee next Thursday, said there were 417 reports of dog fouling in 2023, the most of any year since the Covid pandemic.

There were also more than 1,000 reports of dangerous dogs across the four years, with 322 last year alone.

The report states the figures, alongside the results of a public consultation over the PSPO, "clearly demonstrate the need for restrictions and prohibitions to remain in place."

Under council proposals, more restrictions could be included on the order, such as the owner having items on them to pick up faeces.

In the public consultation run by the council, 97% said they supported all dogs being kept on leads around fields, parks and pitches when organised sport is taking place.

A total of 72% also agreed with dogs being kept on a lead around lakes and ponds.

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