Consultation and engagement

Consultation on the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order for dog control in Liverpool

Start date: Monday 20th October 2025
End date: Monday 3rd November 2026

What are we consulting on?

You said

In 2022, one member of the public from Anfield contacted the council to say that their children and the children of other parents are often distressed walking to school as a result of the amount of dog waste they encounter and sometimes step in.

Another resident contacted the council to say that they and their child had negative interactions with dogs that were not on leads in the parks. On one occasion, a large dog had jumped up at them and knocked them to the ground, injuring their face and hip. As a result, they no longer felt safe accessing the parks.

We did

Following these, and many other comments and complaints relating to dogs, we introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that gave council and Police officers certain powers to help deal with dog-related issues. This PSPO is due to expire in November 2025.

We are now looking to extend this PSPO. The order has been in place for three years and makes it an offence for people who are in control of a dog on land to which the order applies who do not to dispose of any faeces produced by that dog.

It also makes it a requirement for dogs to be kept on leads in certain parts of the city and to put dogs onto leads when directed to do so by an authorised officer in certain parts of the city.

Any person who contravenes the order would be committing an offence punishable by a fine. Certain people are exempt from the order such as those using assistance dogs.

Why it matters

The order is being extended because the council considers that the activities concerned, if not restricted by the order, may have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people using public places in Liverpool.

You can view a copy of the order below with notes explaining the order.

How to comment

We'd like to hear whether or not you think the order should be extended.

Please post your comments to: Michael Edgar, Legal Services, Liverpool City Council, 5th Floor, Cunard Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool L2 2DH, or email them to legal.planning@liverpool.gov.uk. All comments must be received by Monday 3rd November September 2025.

What happens to my views?

Once the consultation closes, results will be accessed by a restricted team of Liverpool City Council staff only. The results will only be used to inform Liverpool City Council’s position in relation to the PSPO. The results will be published on this website, in a consultation report, which is expected to be released in November 2025. 

What happens next?

The results of the consultation will be evaluated and form part of a report through which the council’s decision whether to extend the order will be made. If extended, the order will be the subject of further publicity. If not extended, signs notifying the public about the PSPO will be removed from parks and green spaces.

Further information

For further information about this consultation please email legal.planning@liverpool.gov.uk.