AN order which could see dogs banned from certain public areas was discussed by Brecon Town Council at their Monday evening meeting.
The town council discussed the Public Service Protection Order (PSPO), proposed by Powys council, which would see dogs off the lead banned from some areas and dogs banned entirely from others.
Powys Council said the three-year-long PSPO, which would be under Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, would be to combat dog fouling.
Llanfaes Play Park is one of the suggested areas for a full prohibition and the Promenade was suggested as an area for dogs to be kept on a lead.
At the meeting Cllr David Meredith said: “In regard to Llanfaes Play Park, one Llanfaes resident had a nasty experience. I think if we look to fence off areas like this with play equipment.
“It’s always been a problem in the park because people let their dogs off the lead and don’t watch where their dogs are going. I don’t think a full ban on public spaces is viable.”
The proposal will also make it a criminal offence for owners not to pick up after their dogs rather than a civil offence.
Cllr Gren Ham said: “I think it’s fair to say that the majority of dog owners are well behaved, it is just a few who aren’t.
“That being said, I don’t understand why the PSPO proposal is just targeting those areas – surely it should apply to all public spaces?
“I just don’t understand the logic of having it in just two areas. I think if we do write in support of this, it needs to be for some form of PSPO to be implemented across all public areas.”
Owners can currently be fined if they don’t clear up after their pooches but the new PSPO will not only allow fixed point fines but for owners to be taken to court under criminal proceedings if they don’t pay.
Cllr Rob Thomas also suggested fencing off certain areas such as sports fields and play areas. He also voiced his concern about a line in the proposal letter which said: “Due to budget restrictions we will not be in a position in the future to complete this process.”
Cllr Thomas said: “I’m confused by a sentence in this email. Does it mean that if we don’t rush to do it, there won’t be the money to do it?”
Cllr Chris Walsh said he welcomed the opportunity from the county council to have a consultation about the proposal.
In a letter to the town council, PCC said: “It has been established that certain activities carried out in specified public spaces have a detrimental effect on the quality of life in the locality.
“These activities are, or are likely to be of a persistent of continuing nature, are or likely to be unreasonable and justify the restrictions imposed by the final PSPO.”
Dog fouling enforcement action was initially proposed in Powys in 2015 following discussions since 2013.
A spokesman from Powys council said the PSPO, which had been suggested by the Outdoor and Recreation Service, had to be agreed on by all regions of the county.
He said: “Council can introduce a PSPO, but it had to be evidence based and supported by both the Police and Crime Commissioner and Dyfed-Powys Police.”
Brecon Town Council agreed on Monday that councillors would collate their thoughts into one email to respond to the proposal.