Public Spaces Protection Order for Dog Control

How long have we had a PSPO?

• In 2016 we introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle dog fouling alongside our 'Take the Oops out of Poops' publicity campaign. This order expired in March 2019.
• Following the Taking the Lead consultation in November 2018, the Council's Executive authorised an amended PSPO on 4 March 2019, to further extend these powers for three more years. This order expired in April 2022.
• Following another Taking the Lead consultation in March 2022, the Council's Executive authorised an extension of the PSPO on 4 April 2022, to further extend these powers for three more years.
• During the 2022 consultation the Council received a consultation submission from Bird Aware Solent proposing the introduction of an additional dog exclusion zone in the Hill Head beach area between 1 October and 31 March, to protect migratory birds that use the location for feeding. 
  • A consultation on the amended PSPO was undertaken in May 2023 and feedback from local residents supported the proposal.
  • The Council's Executive Member for Health and Public Protection authorised an amended PSPO on 20 June 2023. The PSPO (4 MB) came into force on 5 July 2023.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control

The PSPO allows Authorised Council Officers to:

• Issue a fixed penalty notice (on the spot fine) to owners who do not clear up after a dog has fouled.
• Direct people to put their dogs on leads if they are causing a nuisance.
• Issue an on the spot fine to owners whose dogs are off the lead in the following sensitive areas (Click on the text to see a map of restrictions).
  • Any cemetery or churchyard
  • Westbury Manor Museum Garden
  • Sensory Garden of Reflection, Osborn Road
  • The paths by Holly Hill Play Area
  • Holly Hill Woodland Park - on the footpath next to the lakes and the land between that footpath and the lakes
  • Part of Coldeast Open Space
  • Parts of Abbey Meadows, Titchfield
  • Burridge Pond
  • Salterns Road Promenade, Hill Head
  • Portchester Common
• Issue an on the spot fine to owners whose dogs are in the following areas where dogs are excluded:
  • All fenced in Play Areas
  • Holly Hill Play Area
  • Abbey Meadows Play Area
  • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Play Area
  • Salterns Road Beach (between 1 May and 30 September)
  • Hill Head Beach (between 1 October and 31 March)

The PSPO also:

• Limits the number of dogs one person can walk in public to four.

None of the proposed powers and restrictions apply to people who:

• Are registered blind or deaf.
• Have a physical or mental impairment which impacts on their normal day-to-day activities and who rely on an assistance dog.
• Are members of Assistance Dogs UK, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People or any other charity registered in the UK who rely on or are training assistance dogs.

Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)

A fixed penalty notice is an on the spot notice. Irresponsible dog owners could be fined £100 for not complying with the terms of the PSPO. If you fail to pay, it can lead to further sanctions, including fines of up to £2,500 for each offence.

Find out more

• Professional Dog Walkers' Guidelines (5 MB) produced by the Dogs Trust, and RSPCA.
• Responsible dog ownership: Visit our dedicated dog control webpage to find out more about how to be responsible with a dog and report lost dogs in the Fareham borough.
• Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN): Visit our Fixed Penalty Notice webpage about litter and dog fouling.
• Dog walking in Hampshire: Visit the Dog Walking webpage  to find out more about dog walking in Hampshire County Council's countryside parks and sites. Zones are a simple way of showing people where dogs can exercise on and off lead. There is also an online map  showing dog friendly zones.