Warning as Kettering dog attacks and complaints rise since lockdown

Kettering dog owners have been warned they face a hefty fine if they break the rules after a rise in attacks and complaints since the coronavirus lockdown started.

Kettering Council say they will take a 'tough stance' and want dog owners to keep their pet on a lead if they are unsure of their dog's behaviour, or to walk them in less busy areas at less busy times.

The authority says they have seen an increase in dog attacks and anti-social behaviour complaints involving dogs and owners since emergency coronavirus social distancing and daily exercise rules came into force last month.

Shirley Plenderleith, head of public services at Kettering Council, said: “During these times of uncertainty, the council is committed to taking a tough stance on dog owners who do not ensure the safety of others when out and about for their daily exercise.

"We are keen to ensure that everyone feels safe while taking their daily exercise.

"We hope to remind residents to abide by the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control to avoid potential prosecutions.”

The council's PSPO covers four dog control offences.

They are: the dogs exclusion order (where it is an offence for a dog to be on land where this order applies), the dogs on leads order (where it is an offence for a dog not to be on a lead on land where this order applies), the dog on leads by direction order (where it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog no to put the dog on a lead when told to by an authorised officer) and the fouling of land by dog order (where it is an offence not to pick up dog faeces).

Failing to comply with dog fouling regulations could result in a fine of up to £1,000.