Additional measures to encourage responsible dog ownership and ban smoking in specific public open spaces in the Northampton area, have been implemented from 3 October 2023 for a period of two years.
The Public Spaces Protection Order means dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to:
- pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
- carry the means to pick up after their dog
- prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
- keep their dog on a lead when in Northampton Town Centre, Upton Country Park Phase 2 (the land between Kislingbury and Upton), land near Daventry Country Park café, cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, car parks, sports grounds, fields and pitches – when in use for authorised sporting activity
- put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
The order also restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time in a public open space (unless they are a licensed dog day care provider, boarder or breeder whereby a maximum of 6 can be walked at any one time). It also prohibits smoking in children’s play areas, land near schools, skateparks; tennis courts; multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens.