| 'Pick up or pay up' - 19th Jan '09 |
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Residents are being urged to pick up or pay up when they walk their dogs in Peasedown St John. The rise in complaints has prompted local residents and councillors to plan a campaign involving early morning visits to the worst hit areas, which include particularly popular playing fields and children's play areas such as the Beacon field and many hedgerows near residential areas.
Cllr Bevan and Hartley with the new stickers
Councillor Sarah Bevan has pledged to arrange immediate tours of the areas with cleansing and enforcement officers to remind dog walkers that not clearing up after their dogs is a criminal offence which will carry a fixed penalty of an on the spot fine of £50, leading to £1,000 if the fine is not paid and the offender is prosecuted.
Cllr Bevan said:
'Dog faeces contains the toxocara worm, which causes blindness if the eggs get near the eye. Children and pregnant women are very vulnerable to this disease and with buggies and footwear becoming covered in dog mess this is a very real danger. The worms may also move to the lungs and lead to swelling of other body organs.
FIDO (Find/Fine Idle Dog Owners) is a very useful initiative but awareness seems to have dropped in recent years, so I would urge members of the public to telephone the FIDO line on 01225 396633 if they see offenders allowing their dogs to foul public open spaces of any kind, other than commercial woodland.'
Cllr Hartley has encouraged officers to produce new litter bin stickers informing residents that dog mess can be put in all litters bins, not just those designated for dog mess. These are now available and will be put in place when the tours start.
Cllr Bevan added:
"These play areas and public parks should be available for the general public to enjoy a good quality of life. At the moment this is being eroded by negligent dog owners leading to fewer and fewer families using our parks despite paying council tax for their maintenance. Free poop a scoop bags are available from many of the council's offices throughout the authority. There is no excuse for this anti social attitude."
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