28/08/2026
🐾 A little heads up for dog owners in West Northants 🐾
I know nobody really wants to spend their Friday afternoon reading a council document about dog poo and leads , but the West Northamptonshire Council Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been extended, so I thought it was worth having a little look at what it actually says.
And there are a few things in there that are worth knowing about if you walk your dog around West Northants.
Let's get the obvious one out of the way...
Please pick up after your dog and make sure you have poo bags with you. We all know this one, but the Order does specifically say that not having a bag, or not knowing your dog has pooed, isn't considered a reasonable excuse.
So... bags in the pocket!
🚫 There are places where dogs aren't allowed at all.
This includes:
• Children's play areas (whether fenced or not)
• Educational institutions when they are open and being used by pupils
• Skateparks
• Tennis courts
• MUGAs - Multi-Use Games Areas
• Bowling greens
Then there are places where your dog must be on a lead.
These include:
• Cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards and memorial gardens
• Allotments
• Car parks - dogs MUST be on lead before exiting your vehicle
• Sports grounds, fields and pitches when they are being used for organised sporting activity
There are also specific areas covered by the Order at Daventry Country Park, Northampton town centre, Upton Country Park, St James Park Lake in Brackley and part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area.
⚠️ A specific one to be aware of if you use Brodie Lodge Playing Field in Flore
This is one I particularly wanted to mention because it's easy to miss.
There is a small sign on a post in the car park, near the dog poo bin, which gives some information about the dog restrictions.
The problem is that the sign doesn't give the full details.
And if you come into the car park and walk towards the field through either of the gaps on the left or right-hand side of the car park, you won't actually pass the sign at all.
So it's very easy to arrive, get your dog out of the car and head onto the playing field without ever seeing it.
I think if there are restrictions in place, it is reasonable for dog owners to be able to find out what those restrictions actually are.
So if you use Brodie Lodge, it's worth being aware that the car park itself is a lead area, and making sure you know what restrictions apply before heading onto the playing field.
And here's one that I think is particularly useful to know...
Dogs must be on a lead within 50 metres of any entrance or exit of a school, academy or college providing primary or secondary education, when it is open and being used by pupils.
So this isn't just "near the school" or "around the school gates".
The Order actually specifies 50 metres.
There is also a provision allowing an Authorised Person to ask you to put your dog on a lead if they believe it is reasonably necessary to prevent nuisance or behaviour likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to another person, bird or animal.
One other thing worth knowing...
There is a 4-dog limit. A person in charge of multiple dogs cannot walk more than 4 dogs at any one time on land covered by the Order, unless there is a reasonable excuse or consent has been given.
And yes, there can be a fine.
Failing to comply with the requirements of the Order is an offence, and a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued by a Constable or Authorised Person.
There are exemptions for people relying on assistance dogs, as set out in the Order.
I'm not posting this to have a go at anyone or because I think dogs should be kept on leads everywhere.
Far from it!
I actually think it's useful for us as dog owners to know what the rules are, rather than finding out because someone has decided to complain or we've been approached by an enforcement officer.
If we're expected to follow the rules, I think it's only fair that we're able to easily find out what those rules actually are.
I'll put the full Order in the comments for anyone who wants to have a read.
🐾 Laura
LWDT
Because pet dogs should be fun!
