Dog fouling rules need to remain, say council

Strict rules aimed at tackling dog fouling are recommended to remain in place for another three years.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Boston makes it a legal requirement for owners to clean up after their dogs. Owners who can not prove they have poo bags are given £100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

Boston Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee advised the PSPO, which has been in place since 2017 and is due to expire on 1 October, should be renewed in response to concerns for children's safety and complaints over fouling.

The recommendation will be considered at a cabinet meeting at a later date when a final decision is due to be made.

Measures under the order include requiring dog owners to carry poo bags at all times, banning dogs from fenced children's play areas and placing leads on dogs deemed to be out of control or causing alarm or distress to members of the public.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Independent councillor David Scoot told the meeting on Thursday: "I have three young grandchildren and the fact that dogs are not allowed into the safe play area, I think, is absolutely fantastic.

"Not all children are used to dealing with animals and certainly I've noticed, unfortunately, slightly more dog fouling on the pavements as I walk about now, so keeping the fines there and the restriction orders for those, I think is a very good idea."

Conservative councillor and meeting chair Stuart Evans, who backed the recommendation, said: "Everything here seems really positive. I really can't pick anything in there that would say not to proceed for another three years."

The PSPO has been extended every three years following consultation since 2017.

The council recorded 25 complaints about dog fouling in 2025/26, compared to 40 the previous financial year.

During that period, nine fines were issued for not carrying poo bags, along with two for dog fouling offences.

But Independent councillor Richard Austin suggested many residents may not realise they can be fined for not carrying a bag and called for greater awareness.

"I think the general public have adopted the practice we're advising extremely well in general," he said.

"Certainly in places like Boston Woods – which has a huge number of dogs through it – it's almost rare to see any dog fouling, so that's great."

Councillors were told a public consultation of 86 respondents showed strong support for the proposed PSPO extenstion, with 98% backing fines for failing to remove dog waste and 85% agreeing to keep the £100 fine level.

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