Dog Control Orders replace the previous system of byelaws for the control of dogs and repeal both byelaws and designations under the Dog (Fouling Land) Act 1996.

The following orders have been made and come into effect as of the 1st January 2008:

• Fouling of Land by Dogs Order
• The Dogs on Lead by Direction Order
• The Dog Exclusion Order

Penalties

Under Section 59 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 an authorised officer of the Council who has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence may give that person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty in the sum of £75.

Failure to discharge a liability for a fixed penalty notice within 14 days of issue will result in a prosecution at court.

From 1st July 2009 an early payment discount will be available which will reduce the penalty to £50 if paid within 10 days of the ticket being issued.

Also persons suffering from hardship can make application to the Community Protection Manager/Deputy Warden Manager for the penalty payment to be deferred. The Community Protection Manager/Deputy Warden Manager may grant a deferral of payment up to a maximum of 15 weeks. Deferred payments can also attract an early payment discount which will be expalined if a deferred payment is agreed. Application forms can be obtained from the Warden Administration Unit. If deferred payment is agreed and there is any default in the payments, the whole fine will be reinstated and will be payable within 14 days. Failure to discharge the penalty will result in prosecuction.

Deferred payment application forms can be obtained from:

The Wardens Adminsitration Unit
Farley House
Vicarage Road
Oldbury
B68 8HT

A person guilty of any such offence will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1000).

The orders will be available for inspection and copies may be obtained between the hours of 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, in the Reception Area of the Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DF.

The Orders are also accessible using the links below:

• The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Sandwell) Order 2007
• The Dogs on Leads by Direction (Sandwell) Order 2007
• The Dog Exclusion (Sandwell) Order 2007

Any enquiries concerning these Orders should be directed to Alan MacKenzie on 0121 569 2745 or via email at alan_mackenzie@sandwell.gov.uk