Press Release

Have your say on Dog Control Orders in Northampton

28/03/08

Should dogs be excluded from certain areas? And how many dogs can one person control at a time? These and other questions are being considered prior to the introduction of new dog control powers across Northampton.

Under new legislation Northampton Borough Council can now introduce a range of Dog Control Orders. Throughout April an exhibition will be touring libraries across the town to raise awareness of the new powers and giving residents the chance to say how they might be used.

The council is asking for views on four Dog Control Orders:

1. Keeping dogs out of some areas
2. Keeping dogs on a lead in some areas
3. Limiting the number of dogs handled by one person
4. Putting dogs on a lead when requested to do so if they are thought to be out of control.

Feedback forms will be available at each exhibition for any comments or suggestions. These can either be posted back to the council free of charge or placed in the boxes provided beside each display. 

Councillor Trini Crake, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said:  "We want people to tell us what they think about the new powers. Most dog owners in Northampton are considerate and responsible, and these powers are designed to encourage the minority to be responsible when walking their pet. Before we introduce any new powers we want to be sure that people feel they would be beneficial and useful."

The exhibition will be at Duston Library from 31 March to 7 April; Hunsbury and Wootton Fields Libraries from 8 April to 14 April; Weston Favell Library and Kingsthrope Libraries from 15 April to 21 April; Central Library 21 April to 2 May and the Guildhall foyer from 22 April to 2 May.

For further information on the laws, or to ask for a feedback form, call Northampton Borough Council on 838000, email ehealth@northampton.gov.uk or visit our website www.northampton.gov.uk and search for ‘dog control orders’ to download a form.