Dog owners face increased fines and expanded rules aimed at reducing canine antisocial behaviour.

Following a public consultation over the new restrictions, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is now set to introduce a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control.

The measures for encouraging more responsible dog ownership were put to the authority's communities, housing and environment committee which approved their introduction.

New regulations being proposed would extend restrictions, including requiring owners to put a dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer, and making it an offence to fail to keep dogs on a lead within the grounds of Sutton Road Cemetery, to allow dogs in designated play areas or to allow a dog to be stray.

Fines for offences covered by the PSPO, for example dog fouling, will also be increased from £75 to £100 - bringing it into line with fines for littering.

The two-month consultation on the plans saw 1,624 complete a survey, and MBC says a majority of the public were in favour of all six measures proposed.

Although the council says dog fouling is declining, it remains a major area of concern for the public. Around 90% of respondents to the consultation were in favour of increasing the fine for those owners who do not clean up after their pet.

A new rule will give officials the power to order people to put their dog on a lead.

The report outlining the proposals said: "There is no current provision that officers can use to require this action, but if a dog is off lead and posing a risk of creating nuisance or harm then this equips officers with the means to halt the behaviour on the spot before it escalates to becoming a dangerous dog.

"This measure received significant public support in the consultation and provides a useful and flexible tool to the officers enforcement toolkit when dealing with the most irresponsible dog owners."

The committee's unanimous decision at its August 25 meeting to approve the new measures means an order will now be made by the MBC head of housing and communities.

Details of the oder will be published on the council website and appropriate signs erected in the areas covered by the new regulations.

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