NEW by-laws that would control dog poo in Bournemouth cemeteries will be explored “in the future”, a senior councillor has said. 

Anne-Marie Moriarty, ward councillor for East Cliff and Springbourne, said there has been “several residents” raising concerns about “the increasing amount of dog faeces in public areas”. 

She noted this is a particular problem in King’s Park, Boscombe at a full council meeting on November 4. 

The Labour councillor added: “One resident highlighted this issue by sharing that her sight-impaired mum regularly steps in it while visiting her husband’s grave. 

“She has raised complaints to the council but has not received a satisfactory response.” 

She asked BCP’s cabinet how long it has been since the by-laws enforcing dog owners to clean up after their pets had expired and when new by-laws will be implemented to address the matter. 

Sandra Moore, cabinet member for communities at BCP Council, said bringing in new legislation is “work in progress” for the authority. 

She said: “In Bournemouth, dogs were historically prohibited from entering council-controlled cemeteries as part of the 2011 Bournemouth Borough Council Control of Dogs Order and the Clean Neighbourhood Environment Act 2005. 

“However, in Christchurch and Poole cemeteries, this legislation was not taken up and dogs were permitted access to open space including cemeteries. 

“This legislation lapsed in 2017 and was replaced in 2020 by a public space protection order legislation (PSPO).” 

When an offence is witnessed an reported, councils can issue fixed penalty notices of £100, but if the person refuses to pay, a magistrate can increase this to £1,000. 

Cllr Moore added: “Fortunately, most dog owners do act responsibly and remove any fouling. 

“It also needs to be mentioned that these orders need evidence gathering, mapping and legal consultation which takes time and money. 

“However, work to review, implement and enforce the PSPO is on forward plan to be explored in the future. 

“But in the meantime, we are of course asking the minority of dog owners responsible for failing to clean up after their animals to respect open spaces and pick up after their dogs.” 

Between 2022 and 2024, there were 791 complaints of dog poo across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch in public areas.