Following consultation with residents, the Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) enforcing new dog fouling rules in the County Borough which are now effective.
The Order says that:
- Dog owners MUST clean up their dogs’ mess immediately and dispose of it properly.
- Dog owners MUST carry means to pick up dog mess (i.e. bags) at all times.
- Dog owners MUST follow a direction from an authorised officer to put a dog on a lead.
- Dogs are BANNED from all schools, children’s play areas and marked sports pitches maintained by the Council.
- Dogs MUST be kept on a lead at all times in Council maintained cemeteries.
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) also introduces an increased fine of £100, which Enforcement Officers can issue.
A separate PSPO, for Aberdare Park only, was also introduced on October 1, 2017, and says that dogs must be kept on leads at all times in Aberdare Park.
The Council is committed to helping dog owners do the right thing and provides hundreds of specific bins in local parks and other areas regularly used by dog walkers. If there is no dog bin on your dog walking route, it is your responsibility to remove the waste and take it home with you for disposal. Free dog fouling bags are available from all libraries and One4All Centres throughout the County Borough.
Rhys Cycle regularly visits schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf accompanied by the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness team to highlight the dangers of dog fouling. All around the County Borough you will see dog fouling posters designed by young people highlighting the implications for dog owners who fail to pick up after their dogs.
The Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Officers have the power to issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices of £100 for each dog fouling offence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable for the fine?
Under the regulations the person who is in charge of the dog at the time of the fouling is liable to pay the £100 fine if they do not clean up immediately after the animal.
How do I pay a fine?
You can pay online with a Credit/debit card.
Cheques or Postal orders made payable to: “Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC” should be sent to - The Service Director for Streetcare, Rhondda Cynon Taf Streetcare Services, Ty Glantaf, Unit B23, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5TT by post or in person.
What if I don’t pay my fine?
If you have been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by one of the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Officers then under the terms of the fine you will be required to pay the charge within 14 days from the date the notice was issued.
Should you choose not to pay the fine within the 14 days the Council will look to prosecute via court proceedings as part of the Authority’s policy to improve the environment and to reduce such eco-crimes within the boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf.