Public spaces protection order (Dog control)

Public Space Protection Order (dog control)

There is a Public Spaces Protection Order (dog control) in place that outlines how people should control their dogs in Hackney.

Cabinet considered the Dog Control Orders PSPO on 26 February 2024. For details of the decision and reports, see Agenda and decisions.

See Public Spaces Protection Order (dog control) 2024 (PDF 1.7mb)

Dog fouling

It is an offence if dog owners do not remove their pet faeces from land within Hackney that is open to the air and accessible to the public. This includes:

• public roads, footpaths, cycle paths and verges adjacent to these roads
• parks and recreational spaces, cemeteries and Council-owned allotments
• school playing fields, playgrounds and any land surrounding schools and colleges
• council-owned housing estates

Failure to comply with the dog fouling control order may result in the issue of a £80 penalty and/or prosecution with a maximum fine up to £1,000.

People who are registered as blind, disabled, or otherwise rely on dogs will be exempt from this order.

• report dog fouling

Dog exclusion order

This enables us to stop dogs from entering certain areas including:

• children’s playgrounds
• sports courts
• multi-use games areas
• marked pitches where games are in play
• dog free areas in parks

Dogs on leads order

This stops owners from exercising dogs off-lead on:

• roads
• car parks
• churchyards
• communal areas on estates
• public parks and gardens under half a hectare in size
• Shepherdess Walk

This order excludes canal towpaths.

Dogs on leads by direction order

This gives authorised council officers the power to request that dogs are put on leads where they are not under the appropriate control of their owner, or where they are causing damage or acting aggressively.

The orders can also be inspected and copies obtained from Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA by prior arrangement. For more information, or to make an appointment, email enforcementsupport@hackney.gov.uk.

Dog limit

The Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control) prohibits any one person having more than six dogs under their control at any given time.