In effect from the 27th April 2009, areas of Oundle have been included by a new dog control order. This new order will not only affect parts of Oundle, but also surrounding towns including Thrapston and Rushden. The aim of the dog control orders is to maintain good responsibility in all dog owners, and to also to reduce disruption to public places.

There are four parts to the new dog order:

1) Dog Restriction Order – exclusion of dogs in specific areas

2) Keeping Dog on Lead in specific areas

3) Following instructions of an authorised officer when directed to keep dog on lead

4) Removing Dog Faeces

Breaking any of part of the order will result in paying a fixed penalty of £75.

Places or areas in Oundle which will be affected include:

- Play Area – Creed Road

- Play Area – Oundle Recreation Ground

- Play Area – St. Christopher’s Drive

- Market Place

- Oundle Cemetery – Stoke Doyle Road

- Occupation Road and surrounding sports areas

- Car Park – St. Osyths Lane

- Drill Hall Car Park

Barnwell Country Park will also be affected. East Northamptonshire Council has implemented this order due to the concerning issue of toxocariasis. Toxocariasis is a serious problem resulting from improper disposal of dog faeces. Barnwell Park is not the only country park to be affected by the range or illnesses that can be induced by it. Toxocariasis can cause loss of vision, aches and pains, dizziness, nausea, asthma and epilepsy. When dog faeces are not disposed properly, creatures like earthworms, beetles and flies will lay its eggs. Even when the grass is mown or the faeces are eventually removed, the eggs will still be able to infect humans from 2 to 3 weeks after being passed and up to more than 2 years afterwards. Children are especially vulnerable to toxocariasis since fingers may have touched the eggs and come in contact with the mouth. Annually, as many as 16 000 children are infected. It is no surprise then that the new Dog Order Control includes the childrens play area of Barnwell Country Park.

Other towns are affected by the new order include Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Thrapston, Raunds, Stanwick Lakes, Fermyn Woods Country Park, Islip and Ashton.

For more details on how the New Dog Control Order affects you, visit: http://www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/pp/silver/viewSilver.asp?ID=2610