New dog rules agreed for North Northants

The new rules will require dog owners to keep their animals on leads in specific places

New controls on dogs in public places are to come into force.

The measures will affect dog owners across North Northamptonshire.

The rules will include keeping pets on leads in parks and gardens, and not taking them into some cemeteries and play areas.

There will be no restrictions on the number of dogs a person can walk at the same time - a measure which caused some controversy in West Northamptonshire.

Public Space Protections Orders (PSPO) are already in place for three areas in North Northamptonshire - Wellingborough, Kettering and East Northamptonshire but they are due to expire later in November.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has now agreed to impose a new unified PSPO across the whole of its area, including in Corby where there is no order in place at the moment.

Fixed penalty notices of £100 could be issued for contraventions, with fines of up to £1,000 if a case goes to court.

Of the 180 people who responded to a consultation, 85 did not own a dog.

Under the PSPO, fines could be imposed on owners who did not pick up dog poo. Some of those who responded to the consultation pointed out that some owners were throwing their hound's poo bags into nearby bushes.

The order has been rewritten to include a requirement to "dispose of it in an appropriate manner".

Kinewell Lake near Ringstead, is one of the new areas where dog owners will have to keep their animals on leads

The new PSPO lists a number of places where dogs will have to be kept on leads, including several car parks, nature reserves and cemeteries.

Areas where dogs will not be allowed at all include several children's play areas, a bowling green and three cemeteries.

Dogs will be banned from Higham Ferrers Cemetery in Rushden under the new order

Around half of those who responded to the consultation felt no-one should be allowed to walk more than six dogs at any one time - a rule already introduced in West Northamptonshire, replacing a proposed limit of four dogs.

NNC said it had decided not to include such a restriction as the Government was currently considering a national limit.

The council's executive has now approved the PSPO and it aims to implement it as soon as possible.