| Pooch patrol goes ahead in Peasedown St John - 22nd Feb '09 |
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A local councillor has been out on patrol in parks and pathways in her ward after a surge in the amount of dog mess left in or near children's play areas and pavements. She has joined forces with local community warden Joanna Brain and Police Community Support Officer Louise Jones to complete regular inspections and educational tours of public areas where negligent dog walkers are failing to pick up after their pets. 
Scoop the poop: Cllr Sarah Bevan, Joanna Brain (Banes council Community Warden) and PCSO Louise Jones
Cllr Bevan said:
"Tax payer maintained parks are becoming no go areas for families with children owing to the amount of dog faeces left on the grass and paths. This situation has been highlighted both in residents contact with me and at local PACT meetings in the wider area. We are determined to reclaim these wonderful outdoor facilities for those who do take care of them and value them for what they should be - clean, green and available for all."
The council adopted the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 in 1998 which states that any person in charge of a dog must clean up after it forthwith on any land open to the air to which the public has access or be issued with a fixed penalty of £50 rising to £1,000 for unpaid fines ending up in court.
Cllr Bevan added:
"In Germany, the DNA of every dog is stored on a national database, with law enforcers entitled to obtain sample DNA from faeces left in public open spaces and then call at the owner's address to fine them. Whilst we don't necessarily condone this draconian method of enforcing the law, there are moved afoot to ban dogs from all Banes maintained parks if this situation continues."
Letters have already gone out to all residents in Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and Peasedown St John warning residents both of the dangers associated with infections carried in dog faeces and of the consequences should anyone be caught failing to pick up after their dog during future planned patrols.
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