[21
SEP 00] NORTH WARWICKSHIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS
Dog Owners Could Spend More Than A Penny
Fines are being
introduced to keep the streets and parks of North Warwickshire a
cleaner place.
The council's dog
warden and other staff in the environmental health team now have the
power to issue fixed penalty tickets to pet owners who fails to clear
up after their pooches.
If dog owners refuse
to pay the £25 fixed penalty, then the council could start legal
proceedings leading to a £1,000 fine.
North Warwickshire
Borough Council has operated a dog warden service since 1992, and
rounds up around 100 stray dogs a year.
The council obtained
an order banning people in charge of dogs to leave dog faeces on most
urban roads, footpaths, verges, public rights of way, public car parks
and school playing fields in the borough, covering Atherstone,
Coleshill, Kingsbury, Polesworth and surrounding areas.
Council staff have
been giving verbal warnings to people who allow their doges to foul,
but will now start to enforce warnings and issue the tickets.
The borough-wide
initiative follows on from a successful pilot project at Fishers Walk
in Atherstone to keep the area clean and poop-free.
It received good
support from local people, the area is cleaned weekly and as a result,
is much improved. People have said they want the council to crack down
on dog mess problems - parish councils in the area are being
encouraged to buy more bins for their patch.
Cllr Ann Lewis,
chairman of the environment and health Committee said:
"We are
certainly not against dogs, and we realise that there are many
responsible dog owners in the borough.
“However, we are
still receiving complaints about the irresponsible behaviour of a
minority of dog owners - and it is these people we are hoping to
target."
The borough council
distributes thousands of poop scoops every year - and they are
available from libraries, leisure centres and some local shops.
David Baxendale,
principal environmental health officer, said:
"There's
really no excuse for not scooping the poop. We've had an extensive
campaign of publicity with the dog warden giving regular talks to
school children.
“There are also
51 dog waste bins in the borough and 54 litter-bins, where people
can put wrapped dog waste.
“Alternatively,
dog owners can train their pets to 'go at home' or take the bagged
waste home with them.
“It's really
important for people to consider the impact of their actions on
their local communities and support our campaign to clean up or pay
up. Remember, dog waste can carry harmful bacteria.”
Anyone who has
concerns about dog fouling or who wants to report a dog fouling
incident in confidence, should call the council on
01827 719404.
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