Have your say on the council's dog control orders (From Mid Devon Star)

Have your say on the council's dog control orders

9:45am Friday 15th June 2012 in Devon

MID Devon District Council is holding a consultation on new district-wide dog control orders until July 16.

The consultation will give responsible dog owners the chance to have their say on the new legislation, which applies to the exercising of dogs and clearing up of dog fouling in publically accessible land.

A new procedure known as dog control orders, which cover dog fouling and dogs on leads, is to replace the current system of byelaws for dogs which are currently only enforceable in towns and villages. The new Orders will not only cover the whole of the district but will also mean that dog wardens can enforce that dogs be leashed if they are causing a nuisance.

The council now wants to get the opinions of dog owners living in the area before putting these new orders into effect.

The consultation will be done via a survey which can be accessed online at www.middevon.gov.uk/getinvolved Simon Newcombe, Mid Devon Council's environmental enforcement manager, said: “We want to know what people think about dog fouling in Mid Devon, where it is a problem and which areas are more of a problem. We also want to know whether dogs should be kept on leads in certain places or, in some cases, whether they should be banned. This information will help us decide how to apply the new dog orders.”

The questionnaire should be completed and submitted by July 16. Additional views not covered in the questionnaire are welcome and should be sent to Environmental Services, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6PP or by email to customerfirst@middevon.gov.uk