Councillors are ‘getting tough’ on dog mess (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Councillors are ‘getting tough’ on dog mess
2:10pm Sunday 15th April 2012 in News
UPTON Town Council is to “get tough” on irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.
The council has looked at ways of tackling the problem of dog mess several times over the years, notably in 2008 when it instructed that dogs must be kept on leads while on the town playing fields.
But now Councillor Sheena Walsh, chairman of the town’s open spaces committee, believes it is becoming a serious problem again.
“It seems to be something that has raised its ugly head again,” she said. “There are not dogs roaming the streets of Upton, so the vast majority of dogs doing this must be those whose owners take them out and allow them to foul our paths and fields without clearing up.”
She said members of her committee had discussed a variety of measures, including taking on a volunteer to clean up the mess in problem areas and even designating a special “dog-friendly area” – possibly in Stocks Yat Meadow – where fouling would not be an offence.
There was even a call from Coun Pat Martin for dogs to be banned from the playing fields.
“If people don’t do what they are asked then that is what we will have to do,” she said. “Children use that field and it is disgusting.”
However councillors decided they would prefer to increase awareness of the free dog bags they provide from Memorial Hall, add more notices warning people they are committing an offence by not cleaning up and re-examine the placement of bins in areas popular with dog walkers.
They will also request that Malvern Hills District Council’s street scene team monitor trouble spots and fine those breaking rules.
Mayor Andrea Morgan said: “Upton is getting tough on dog mess. If people persist and caught, they will be prosecuted.”
Allan Whitehead says...
11:54am Mon 16 Apr 12
With more inexcusable behaviour from themselves by just leaving it in situ where the little darlings have deposited their unwanted bowel excavation.
As for allowing dogs (even on leads) on playing field, or parks should be a no-no. We have cats that once were feral, and wandered about looking for food and would scratch on any turned over soil surface to leave their unwanted bye product. We being responsible for feeding these feral cats created a **** loo in our own garden. It is somewhat like a litter tray, but is 5ft. x 3ft x 4ft long. We clean it once a week and ensure the soil is raked even during the winter months we tend this area.
I am afraid that the laws of our land about most lawbreakers are a very weak deterrent. Animal lover in most cases will also clear up after their pets. Unfortunately, animal owners are somewhat different; they let their so-called pets wander allowing them to foul anywhere and at any time.