Crackdown on dog fouling

Your dog doesn't know better - but you should! That's the message to all dog owners from the Royal Borough's community safety partnership and the Boyn Hill, Cox Green and Woodlands Park neighbourhood action group (NAG) who are launching a campaign on Saturday 2 October at Ockwells Park, Maidenhead, aimed at reducing dog fouling in their area.

The group has identified dog mess as an issue and highlighted this as one of their three priorities.

As part of the campaign community wardens and police community support officers will approach dog owners to check if they have dog bags ready for use. If not they will be given one and asked to use a bag every time their dog fouls in a public place including pavements and verges. They will also be warned of the financial penalty for breaking the law.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public protection, said: "Our aim is to make clearing up after your pet second nature for all of the borough's dog owners. To get the ball rolling we are happy to help them get into the habit by handing out free bags so that dog fouling on our streets and parks becomes a thing of the past. Community wardens will have free packs of biodegradeable poop scoop bags to give to dog owners but any bag can be used.

"Dog mess is an eyesore and a health hazard. If you are a dog owner, you have a legal duty to clean up every time your dog messes in a public place. Please bag it, tie it and bin it and help keep the borough free of dog mess."

Keith Bell, co-chair of the NAG, said he was delighted the council was taking the initiative to help with better public education with NAG support and hoped all dog walkers would respond positively. He said: "Dog mess is unhealthy, unsightly and annoying, especially for parents with young children and pushchairs. The NAG public questionnaire last year produced a large number of complaints on this single issue and new action is needed. This should be seen as a long term education programme, not just a quick fix."

Brian Martin, community safety manager, said: "Most dog owners are responsible and clear up after their dogs but there is a small minority who just leave the mess without thinking about the consequences.

"We hope to teach irresponsible dog owners some 'responsible' new tricks."
To report dog fouling and to report persistent offenders call the customer the borough's customer contact centre on 01628 683800.

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