“Chairman
Dog Fouling
Council Notes:
1. Dog foulingis notonly deeplyunpleasant, itis dangerous. Whilstrare, contactwith dogexcrement cancause toxocariasis– anasty infectionthat canlead todizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures
2. Dog foulingis anoffence andcan resultin offendersbeing issuedwith aFixed Penalty Noticeof upto £75.Ifthe casegoes tocourt thiscould costtheowner orperson in charge of the animal up to £1,000
3. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse
4. There are estimated to be more than 8 million dogs producing more than 1,000 tonnes of excrement every day in the UK alone
5. A Keep Britain Tidy campaign in 2010 had considerable success on the issue of dog fouling. ‘There’s no such thing as the dog poo fairy’ led to massive reductions in dog fouling in participating councils’ areas. That some communities saw a decrease of up to 90%, while on average a reduction of 43% was recorded across the 94 participating local authorities
Council Believes:
1. Most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, however, the small minority of those, who do not clean up after their pets are acting irresponsibly
2. That several councils have had success with the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ scheme (along the lines of that piloted, developed and trail blazed by Falkirk Council in 2008). They arefriendly, non-confrontationalprojects thatbring aboutthe changeof community behaviour by the modelling of good behaviour.
Council Resolves to:
1. Request that the Prosperous Communities Committee undertake to:
a. Assess the scale of the problem across the District
b. Commissionwork toinvestigatesuccessful initiativesundertaken byother Councils, including the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ scheme, assessing them for viability and value for money
c. Bring forward and consider proposals to implement suitable initiatives to deal with the problem
d. Developa schemeto educateirresponsible dogowners thatnot clearingup after their pets is anti-social behaviour that the council does not tolerate
We so move”
Cllr. Anne Welburn Cllr. Stephen Bunney
Minutes:
Councillor Anne Welburn and Councillor Stephen Bunney submitted the following Motion: -
“Council Notes:
1. Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures
2. Dog fouling is an offence and can result in offenders being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £75. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000
3. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse
4. There are estimated to be more than 8 million dogs producing more than 1,000 tonnes of excrement every day in the UK alone
5. A Keep Britain Tidy campaign in 2010 had considerable success on the issue of dog fouling. ‘There’s no such thing as the dog poo fairy’ led to massive reductions in dog fouling in participating councils’ areas. That some communities saw a decrease of up to 90%, while on average a reduction of 43% was recorded across the 94 participating local authorities
Council Believes:
1. Most dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, however, the small minority of those, who do not clean up after their pets are acting irresponsibly
2. That several councils have had success with the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ scheme (along the lines of that piloted, developed and trail blazed by Falkirk Council in 2008). They are friendly, non-confrontational projects that bring about the change of community behaviour by the modelling of good behaviour.
Council Resolves to:
1. Request that the Prosperous Communities Committee undertake to:
a. Assess the scale of the problem across the District
b. Commission work to investigate successful initiatives undertaken by other Councils, including the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ scheme, assessing them for viability and value for money
c. Bring forward and consider proposals to implement suitable initiatives to deal with the problem
d. Develop a scheme to educate irresponsible dog owners that not clearing up after their pets is anti-social behaviour that the council does not tolerate.
We so move.
Cllr. Anne Welburn Cllr. Stephen Bunney”
The motion as submitted was duly seconded.
Numerous Members from across the Chamber spoke in support of the motion, which they considered was a concern for the majority of communities across the District.
A Councillor sought indication of the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) the Authority had issued for dog fouling offences in the last three years and Officers undertook to provide the information outside of the meeting.
Another Member advised that the Dogs Trust offered a plethora of advice regarding the matter.
Some parishes had appointed their own wardens, who were fully trained and qualified and could issue FPNs.
Councillor Milne, Chairman of the Regulatory Committee advised that the Council was committed to reducing dog fouling across the District and was in the process of reviewing its district wide PSPO, originally introduced in 2017, with work concluding by September.
All were in agreement that education was important, but this needed to be supported with enforcement.
Having being moved and seconded, the motion as submitted was ACCEPTED.