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Dog owners beware!
Maidstone council is cracking down with new powers.
The council has passed a new Dog Control Order under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which allows it to impose a fixed penalty fine on anyone who allows their dog to foul the pavement or grass. It also excludes dogs from all children's play areas and from tennis courts, whether or not they are fenced.
The measure also requires dogs to be kept on a lead while visiting Maidstone Cemetery in Sutton Road. It also becomes a legal requirement for the dog owner to put their pet on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised person.
The order also allows specific restrictions to be brought into place in areas where there has been a history of problems.
Martyn Jeynes, the council's community protection manager, said: “For an irresponsible dog owner, failure to comply with these orders could result in Fixed Penalty Notices up to £100.
"However, we are not looking to penalise the majority of our dog owners, Maidstone is home to thousands of responsible dog owners who exercise their pets across the borough. These measures do allow us more power to intervene when someone is not sticking to the rules. "
