Public Space Protection Orders 2026 (Dogs)

Public Space Protection Orders were introduced by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and are designed to stop individuals, or groups, from committing anti-social behaviour in a public place. There are a number of Public Space Protection Orders relating to a range of issues in place in Hartlepool. In this consultation we would like to hear your views about whether one of these should be extended for a further 3 years.

Dog Control Public Space Protection Order

There is currently a Public Space Protection Order placing restrictions on the exercising of dogs in place in Hartlepool. The purpose of this Public Space Protection Order is to ensure that areas such as children's play areas, cemeteries and bathing beaches are kept free from dog foul and nuisance dogs. Provision is made within the Order to ensure that disabled people with assistance dogs are not prevented from using public places.

This Order has a number of Schedules as follows:

1. Fouling of Land By Dogs - A requirement for dog walkers to clean up their dog’s faeces forthwith (applies to the whole town)
2. Dogs on Leads by Direction - A requirement for dog walkers to put their dog onto a lead if directed to do so by a designated officer e.g. police officer, PCSO, council enforcement officer (applies to the whole town)
3. Maximum Number of Dogs - A specified maximum number of dogs (4 dogs) that any one person can exercise at one time (applies to the whole town)
4. Means to Pick Up - A requirement for dog walkers to carry an appropriate means to pick up that dog's faeces (applies to the whole town)
   
5. Dogs on Leads - A requirement for dogs to be kept on a lead in certain locations (see Schedules below for locations)
6. Dogs Exclusion - A requirement to keep dogs out of certain locations (see Schedules below for locations)
7. Lead Length - A requirement to put the dog on a lead in certain locations and for the lead to be no longer than 1.5 meters in length (see Schedules below for locations)

Download and read the official Dog Control Public Space Protection Order notice and schedules.

Giving us your views

Public Space Protection Orders last for 3 years before they must be extended or removed. The Council is proposing to extend the Public Space Protection Orders listed above for a further 3 years and would like to know if you support this extension or not. We are not proposing making any changes to the existing Orders.

Tell us what you think by completing this survey. The survey will close on Sunday 23rd August 2026.