New Dog Control Public Space Protection Order

We are consulting on proposals for a new Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which would apply for three years. 

The current Dog Control PSPO has been in place since May 2024 and sets out standards of behaviour that all dog owners in the district’s public spaces are required to follow. 

We are proposing a small number of changes, including pulling together maps for specific locations to give dog owners more clarity, and removing some areas that no longer seem suited to the order. 

The PSPO allows the council to take enforcement action against those who don’t follow the rules, including issuing a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice. The council also reserves the right to prosecute offenders. 

The order is designed to help the community tackle specific dog control issues in public spaces, such as dog fouling in parks or dogs entering children’s play areas.

It is not intended to unduly restrict dog owners from responsibly exercising their dogs across the city. 

The survey asks for your views on: 

• the principles of the dog control order 
• whether you have experienced problems in specific areas, what that was like, and the impact it has had on your quality of life 
• what should and should not be covered by the order going forward 

Have your say 

You can share your views by completing our survey. 

You can also email your comments directly to us at consultations@canterbury.gov.uk.

The consultation is open until 9am on 1 October 2026. 

Public engagement events

We have organised two public engagement events to support this consultation. Further details, including the dates, times and venues, will be published in due course. 

No booking will be required. 

Need help or an alternative format? 

You can download a paper version of the survey if you would like to see the questions before completing it online, or to submit your responses by post. 

Paper copies are also available on request. 

• Email: consultations@canterbury.gov.uk
• Phone: 01227 862000 (8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) 
• Write: Consultations Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR 

Published: 9 July 2026