Protecting public spaces

Dog fouling

Within the area covered by our public space protection order, dog faeces must be removed by the person in charge of the dog. Failing to remove the faeces from the land forthwith will result in an offence being committed, unless you have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so, or the owner of the land has given consent.

Dogs on lead - by order

Within our public space protection order, dogs must be put on a lead of a maximum length of four metres in public spaces, if directed to do so by an authorised officer such as a council enforcement officer. This is unless you have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so, or the owner of the land has given consent.

The authorised officer will instruct a dog owner to put a lead on their dog to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog that is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person, bird or animal. This instruction is known as Leads by Order.

Dogs on leads - enforcement areas

Within our public space protection order, dogs must be kept on leads in the following areas:

• Ashby Road Cemetery, Hinckley
• Hollycroft park, Hinckley in the following areas:
  • Bandstand
  • Pitch and putt
  • Bowling green
  • Tennis court
  • Surrounding areas
• Holy Rood Church, Main Street, Bagworth
• St Peters Church, Main Street, Thornton
• Playing fields, Fox’s Covert, Fenny Drayton
• Playing fields, Ormes Lane, Ratcliffe Culey
• Markfield Community Park, Mayflower Close, Markfield

Dog restricted areas

Within our public space protection order, dogs must not enter the following areas:

• Memorial Playing Field, Church Road, Witherley
• Argents Mead play area, Hinckley 
• Clarendon Park play area and multi-use games area, Hinckley
• Granville Park play area and multi use  games area, Hinckley
• Langdale Park play area and multi use games area, Hinckley
• Preston Road play area, Hinckley
• Queens Park play area, Hinckley
• Richmond Park play area and multi use games area, Hinckley
• Swallows Green play area and multi use games area, Hinckley
• Sword Drive play area, Hinckley
• Wykin Park play area and multi use games area, Hinckley
• Durham Walk Enclosed play area, Bagworth
• Jackson Road Enclosed play area, Bagworth
• Thornton Community Centre Enclosed play area, Thornton
• Recreation Ground play area, Stanton Under Bardon
• Ferndale Park play area, Ratby
• Burroughs Recreation Ground and the stattie play area, Ratby
• Taverner Drive play area, Ratby
• Brookvale Open Space play area, Ratby
• Kirkby Mallory Recreation Ground play area, Kirkby Mallory
• Sheepy Playing Field play area, Sheepy Magna
• Markfield Community Park play area, Mayflower Close

Unless you have a reasonable excuse for entering the land or the owner of the land has given consent.

Exemptions

Restrictions on dogs will not apply to a person who:

• Is registered as blind in a register compiled under section 29, National Assistance Act 1948
• Has a disability which affects mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects, in respect of dog training by a prescribed charity and upon which they rely for assistance

Further information

For the purposes of our public space protection order:

• A person who habitually has a dog in their possession shall be taken to be in charge of the dog at any time, unless at that time some other person is in charge of the dog
• The placing of faeces in a receptacle on the land which is provided for the purpose, or for the disposal of waste, shall be sufficient removal from the land (for example, a litter or a dog waste bin)
• Being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise), or not having a device for other suitable means of removing the faeces, shall not be a reasonable excuse for failing to remove the faeces

Last updated: 18/12/2023 09:58