Don’t forget to take your doggy poo bags out with you – there’s a new Chesterfield Borough Council Dog Control Order and from 1st October, 2012 it will be an offence for any person in charge of a dog to fail to remove dog mess straight away.

Saying you didn’t know about the order or failing to have a bag with you won’t be an excuse, nor will saying you weren’t aware your dog had defecated.   The order applies to all land within the Borough of Chesterfield which is land that is open to the air.  There are one or two exceptions and full details can be found on the Council website – www.chesterfield.gov.uk.

If you don’t comply you will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to £1,000.  As an alternative to a prosecution, the Council may offer a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80.   Failing to clean up after your dog will soon be very expensive.