Commentary on Sections Part 5 - Dogs Section 44 – Amount of fixed penalties
This section enables a district council to specify the amount of a fixed penalty in relation to their own dog control orders.  Councils will also be able to allow for the payment of a lesser amount if the fine is paid within a specified time period.  Where no amount is specified at the local level, the fixed penalty is set at £75.  Subsections (4) to (6) also provide the Department with the power to make regulations relating to the fixed penalty – in particular, to prescribe a range within which penalties fixed at the local level must fall; the Department may also (by order) substitute the figure of £75 referred to above with a new amount.