Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order Review 2026

Maidstone is home to thousands of responsible dog owners who exercise their pets across the borough. In addition, our parks and open spaces also attract dog owners from further afield. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are responsible and it has long been felt that irresponsible dog ownership is not limited to whether an owner cleans up after their dog.

In order to encourage responsible dog ownership, our existing Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control outlines a number of measures to protect our public spaces and the wider community. Every three years, we are required to review our Public Space Protection Orders and to consult with our residents and partners on the measures. The measures and requirements we propose to continue are as follows:

Current Measures & Requirements

• Measure 1 - The offence of dog fouling including a requirement for persons in charge of a dog on public land to remove their dog's faeces.
• Measure 2 - The requirement to prove, when challenged, the means to remove faeces.
• Measure 3 - Exclusion of dogs from all children’s play areas, whether they are fenced or open, and tennis courts.
• Measure 4 – To keep dogs on leads at Sutton Road Cemetery, Vinters Park Crematorium and in Maidstone Town Centre.
• Measure 5 - The requirement for a person in charge of a dog to comply with a request from an authorised officer to put a dog on a lead when the dog is causing danger or concern.
• Measure 6 - The offence of failing to keep a dog under proper control, such as harming other animals or straying.
• Measure 7 - The restriction on the number of dogs that can be walked by a single person to four (six for professional walkers and licensed boarders).
• The requirement for a person to give their name and address to an authorised officer when requested to do so.
• A fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100, the maximum permitted in the legislation, for all the measures .

All measures are criminal offences, which can be prosecuted in a Magistrate’s Court or be disposed of by way of Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

These measures would not apply to accredited working guide or assistance dogs.

How can I get involved?

Survey - Click here to start the survey

Survey closes: 26 April 2026.

Survey takes 4-6 minutes to complete.

What next?

The results of this survey will inform if the current measures will be continued and if any new measures should be introduced, with a decision due to made in October 2026.