Dog Owners in Torfaen Face New £100 Fines for Walking Pets in Four Local Parks
Dog owners in Torfaen, South Wales, are being warned of new regulations that could see them penalised up to £100 if they take their pets into certain children’s play areas. The move, which forms part of the council’s ongoing effort to tackle dog fouling and maintain safer, cleaner playgrounds, expands the existing list of locations where dogs are prohibited.
The latest decision comes after Torfaen County Borough Council’s Labour cabinet met earlier this week and unanimously agreed to ban dogs from four additional parks. These include the children’s play area at Southville Park in Llantarnam, the multi-games area in Thornhill, Upper Cwmbran, Blenheim Road play area in Fairwater, and Cwmavon village play area in Abersychan. The move is designed to keep these newly developed play spaces free from potential dog mess, which officials note is particularly hazardous for children.
Under the strengthened rules, enforcement officers from the local council are authorised to issue instant £100 fines to anyone caught flouting the order. Persistent offenders who fail to pay could find themselves facing prosecution in the magistrates’ court, where financial penalties can reach as high as £1,000 upon conviction.
These bans are enforced through what are known as Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), legal powers which allow councils to ban certain activities in public spaces to tackle anti-social behaviour. By law, PSPOs must be re-examined every three years to determine their effectiveness and whether they should be extended or altered. Since the original introduction of these measures in 2018, the council regularly reviews and updates the list of applicable sites.
John Clements, the council’s environmental protection manager, offered reassurances to councillors that policing these additional exclusions would not cause significant pressures on staff or resources. “The expectation is it will be self-regulating. Most people already understand that it is inappropriate to allow dogs to foul in children’s play areas,” he told the cabinet.
Council leader Anthony Hunt highlighted a largely supportive response from the community regarding these new bans. “I’ve seen the coverage in advance and it’s been largely positive and welcomed,” said Cllr Hunt. He went on to thank the majority of dog owners who already act responsibly, while emphasising the serious health risks that dog foul can pose, particularly to young people enjoying parks and recreation sites.
Beyond just children’s play areas, Cllr Hunt noted the council’s ongoing efforts to confront dog fouling issues more widely, mentioning the use of distinctive yellow pavement stencils across the borough to mark out problem areas. These visible reminders serve both as a deterrent and an educational tool for residents, underscoring the council’s intention to keep neighbourhoods clean and safe for everyone.
In a positive development for local families, Torfaen Council has also secured part of a £5 million Welsh Government grant earmarked for the refurbishment of playgrounds. Cllr Hunt said this funding would be used “to try and update as many [playgrounds] as possible”, ensuring the ongoing improvement of community facilities.
The council is not stopping at these new bans. The cabinet has agreed to commission further reports exploring additional enforcement strategies, indicating that dog control measures may be further strengthened in the future depending on the results of ongoing reviews.
The introduction of these stricter rules reflects broader trends across the UK, where local authorities are taking a firmer stance on dog fouling and animal control in public spaces. While the majority of dog owners are diligent and considerate, councils continue to grapple with those who ignore the rules. By putting these measures in place, Torfaen County Borough Council is seeking to strike a balance between supporting responsible pet ownership and protecting the rights of children to play safely in their local parks.