The Mid Devon (Public Spaces Protection) (Dog Control) Order 2024

Due to widespread complaints about the amount of dog poo being left across Devon, Mid-Devon District Council introduced in 2021 a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to make dog fouling a prosecutable offence. The “Mid Devon (Public Spaces Protection) (Dog Control) Order 2021” legislation covered three types of area: Public Parks, Enclosed Play Areas and Public Cemeteries & Churchyards. This has now been updated, as at October 2024, and is in place for a further three years.

The Community Area

The fenced off Children's Play Area still has the dog ban in place, but the rest of the field is officially open for dogs to run freely within.

Do please remember to clear up after your dogs! 

Under the Order, on the spot fines of £100, or up to £1,000 following prosecution for failing to pay, will be levied if you are caught with a dog in the Children's Play Area (except for Guide Dogs) whether or not your dog is on a lead..

Other Public Spaces

As part of the Order, anyone caught leaving their dog’s poo on any other public highway or path is also liable for the fine. Please note that the “Stick and Flick” practice which is promoted by the Forestry Commission (where you flick the poo into the undergrowth away from the road/path rather than bagging it) should only be used in wooded areas, not along Oakford’s roads and paths – our children are free to play on our verges so could still accidentally encounter the ‘flicked’ poo.