Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Dog Control

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) concerning dog control in the borough of Rugby was renewed in March 2022.

The order covers all land in the borough which the public has access to, including:

• streets and pavements
• council-owned land, including parks, gardens, recreation and sports grounds, cemeteries, open spaces and car parks
• all land owned by Warwickshire County Council or a parish council to which the public has access
• all rights of way which cross land owned by Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council or a parish council

The order enforces the following restrictions on dog owners:

Dog fouling

A person has committed an offence if a dog in his/her charge fouls on land listed in the order and the person fails to remove the faeces.

* the order covers most public land

Dogs on leads

A person has committed an offence if he/she fails to keep a dog on a lead in certain designated areas - public roads, council-owned cemeteries (including Rainsbrook Crematorium and Cemetery) and Caldecott Park.

Dogs on leads by direction

A person has committed an offence if he/she fails to put a dog on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised officer. This order applies to the whole borough.

Dogs exclusion

A person has committed an offence if he/she takes a dog into a designated area* which dogs have been barred from entering.

* all children's play areas and the grounds of Warwickshire County Council-controlled schools

Means to pick up

A person has committed an offence if he/she fails to possess appropriate means to pick up dog faeces deposited by his/her dog. 

Fixed Penalty Notices

Fixed Penalty Notices of £100 (reduced to £75 if paid within ten days) can be issued to a person committing an offence under the Public Spaces Protection Order.

Exemptions

The restrictions contained in the PSPO do not apply to:

• a person registered as blind under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948
• a person with a disability affecting mobility, manual dexterity or ability to lift, carry or move everyday objects, who relies on a dog trained by a prescribed charity for assistance

Download the full Public Spaces Protection Order