Tough new rules for pet owners in Barnsley after a spate of fatal dog-on-dog attacks

Councillors approved the new regulations, which require owners to keep their dogs on leads in cemeteries, pick up dog faeces and carry “suitable means” to do so, and to put their dog on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised officer.

Failure to comply with the regulations would result in a £100 on the spot fine, and non-payment could land the owner with a £1,000 court fine.

The Public Service Protection Order (PSPO) will be implemented across the borough, and a third party may be brought in to enforce the rules on the council’s behalf.

In January this year, Raymond Skelly’s 12-year-old Yorkshire terrier Suzy was killed after being attacked by two huskies in front of shoppers outside Barnsley Market, and a Lhasa Apso belonging to Jayne and Tim Davies died after being set upon by an Akita on Dodworth Road two weeks later.

Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesperson for adults and communities, said: “We have reviewed the feedback from the consultation and used it to form the revised borough-wide PSPO.

“Sadly, in recent weeks, we have seen a spate of dog attacks across Barnsley, and we send our heartfelt condolences to the families affected. We want parks and green spaces in our borough to be a safe place for pet owners to walk their dogs.

“We understand that some dogs will need to be off their lead to exercise properly, but they should remain under control at all times. The dogs on lead order will be implemented proportionately.

“While the PSPO will help to alleviate some of the issues raised before and during the consultation period, it remains the responsibility of dog owners to control their dogs and look after them. We believe the PSPO sets out reasonable boundaries, which any responsible dog owner would have no issues in following.

“The PSPO does not supersede the existing primary legislation, which is the Dangerous Dogs Act in this case. Dangerous dogs must be reported to South Yorkshire Police in the first instance.

“We will continue to review the PSPO regularly and add or remove conditions to make sure it is fit for purpose.”

South Yorkshire Police Neighbourhoods Inspector Rebecca Richardson added: “We welcome the PSPO, which will serve as a baseline of behaviours and responsibilities for dog owners in Barnsley.

“The PSPO will supplement our current work under the Dangerous Dogs Act and help us keep our communities safe.

“If you have been involved in an incident with a dangerous dog, please contact us via 101 or online via our website.”