What Is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and How Does It Affect Dog Owners?
If you have seen a sign in a park mentioning a "PSPO" and walked past without really reading it, you are not alone. Here is what it actually means, in plain terms.
If you have seen a sign in a park mentioning a "PSPO" and walked past without really reading it, you are not alone. Here is what it actually means, in plain terms.
What a PSPO actually is
A Public Space Protection Order, or PSPO, is a legal order that a local council can put on a specific public area to control behaviour that is causing a problem for the community. They were introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and cover all sorts of issues, from drinking in public to, very commonly, dog control.
What a dog related PSPO can require
Depending on the area, a PSPO might mean you have to:
- Always keep your dog on a lead, or put it on a lead if asked by a council officer or police
- Keep your dog out of certain areas entirely, such as children's play areas, sports pitches or specific fields
- Limit the number of dogs one person can walk at a time, which particularly affects professional dog walkers
- Always carry a bag or other means to clean up after your dog
- Clean up after your dog immediately, every time, in every public space
Crucially, in most PSPO areas you can be fined for not carrying a bag even if your dog has not fouled at all. The order is about being prepared, not just about the mess itself.
Where PSPOs apply
Every council sets its own PSPOs, so they vary from area to area, and even from park to park within the same town. It is always worth checking your local council's website or the signage on site, because assuming "the usual rules" apply everywhere can catch owners out, especially when travelling or visiting a new area.
The fines
Breach a dog related PSPO and you can be issued a fixed penalty notice, typically up to £100, payable on the spot. Refuse to pay, dispute it unsuccessfully, or have the case escalate, and a court can impose a fine of up to £1,000. Councils can and do enforce these, often through dedicated dog wardens or environmental enforcement officers, particularly around parks, schools and known hotspot areas.
Why PSPOs exist in the first place
PSPOs are not designed to punish responsible dog owners. They exist because a small minority of irresponsible behaviour, usually repeated fouling or dangerously out of control dogs, creates a problem serious enough that a whole community notices and complains. The order is the council's tool to give itself the power to actually enforce a fix.
What this means for you day to day
The simplest way to stay on the right side of every PSPO, wherever you are, is to build habits that meet the strictest possible standard:
- Always carry bags, and a spare, on every single walk
- Check signage when you are somewhere new
- Keep dogs under control near play areas and pitches even where it is not strictly required
- Pick up immediately, every time
Do that consistently and a PSPO becomes something you never even think about, because you were already doing everything it asks.
Quick FAQ
Can I be fined for not carrying a poo bag, even if my dog hasn't gone?
Yes, in most Public Space Protection Order areas you must carry a means of cleaning up at all times while your dog is in public, whether or not it has fouled.
Do PSPO rules apply everywhere in the UK?
No, each council sets its own orders for specific areas, so rules can vary between parks, streets and even neighbouring towns.