Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will shortly begin a public consultation process, on what measures residents would like to see put in place to continue to tackle dog fouling and dog control across the County Borough.
In October 2017, RCT Council was one of the first Local Authorities to introduce strict rules in terms of dog controls, when it put in place a Public Space and Protection Order (PSPO). Following public consultation in 2020 and 2023, these controls were then extended for a further SIX years and the rules have now been on place across RCT for NINE years.
The feedback from residents in previous consultations showed that they felt that the order had improved the cleanliness of the streets and increased enforcement against irresponsible dog owners.
Under the conditions of the PSPO the Council must review and consider the order every three years, to ensure that the controls still meet the needs of the public – as such the Council will now once again be seeking residents’ views on how successful they feel these measures have been and whether they should remain in place.
The Consultation will begin on Monday 8th June and last for 6 weeks, ending on Monday 20th July
Residents wishing to take part can do so in a number of ways and full details can be found at https://lets-talk.rctcbc.gov.uk/pspo-dog-fouling.
The response from the public to the PSPO, which has been in place for a total of NINE years has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 89% of respondents in 2023 agreeing with all parts of the order and the extension of the PSPO for another 3 years.
A report published by Keep Wales Tidy entitled ‘An Analysis of Local Environmental Quality in RCT 2022-23’ shows that since the introduction of the PSPO in 2017 there has been a reduction in the presence of dog fouling on the streets of RCT from 18% in 2017 to 8.9% in 2021-22 and 10.9% in 2022-23. The most recent report shows an overall decrease in dog fouling, however, there was a slight increase from the previous year which shows that the PSPO has led to a reduction in the presence of dog fouling on the streets of RCT but also highlights that this still remains an issue.
The original PSPO, was based on the following rules being enforced:
- Dog owners MUST clean up their dog mess immediately and dispose of it properly.
- Dog owners MUST carry means to pick up dog mess (i.e. bags) at all times.
- Dog owners MUST follow a direction from an authorised officer to put a dog on a lead.
- Dogs are BANNED from all schools, children’s play areas and marked sports pitches maintained by the Council.
- Dogs MUST be kept on a lead at all times in Council maintained cemeteries.
View the Public Spaces Protection order 2023
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) also introduced an increased fine of £100, which Enforcement Officers can issue for failure to adhere to any of the above.
A separate PSPO, for Aberdare Park only, was also introduced on October 1, 2017, and says that dogs must be kept on leads at all times in Aberdare Park.
Councillor Louisa Addiscot, Cabinet Member for Public Spaces, said:
“Our sports pitches and restricted areas are important in our communities and are used by all ages throughout the day and evenings
“The PSPO has ensured that we have seen a marked reduction of dog mess across the County Borough, but the Council is still continuing to receive complaints around dog fouling on its streets and sports pitches, which is not only unsightly, but could lead to major health consequences and I would ask residents to please think and act to ensure that these areas remain dog (waste) free.
“I know that dog fouling is a key issue for residents and I would encourage them to come forward to take part in this consultation so that we can continue to tackle the issue together by building on the success so far and come up with a plan for the years ahead.”
The Council is also asking residents to report any issues they are having with dog fouling online at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/ReportDogFouling so that we can support them and work together for the safety of our community.
Find out where you can and can't walk your dog in Rhondda Cynon Taf at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/walkmydog.
For more information or to take part in the consultation, visit https://lets-talk.rctcbc.gov.uk/pspo-dog-fouling.
Posted on 08/06/2026