Fines to make owners clean up their 'act'
DOG owners will face a £75 on-the-spot fine if they fail to clear up their pet's mess as a council looks to step up its enforcement powers.
And Newcastle Borough Council will also issue the fixed penalty to owners who breach a host of laws introduced to tackle dogs running free in public places.
-
The authority has launched an eight-week consultation to gauge the feeling of residents towards changing its approach to dealing with irresponsible pet owners.
Unlike most other councils, Newcastle does not hand out fixed penalities for dog offences.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
The authority preferrs to take court action, where magistrates can order owners to pay up to £1,000.
But officials now believe a system of issuing on-the-spot fines will simplify things.
The proposed new scheme would bring in fines for:
Failing to clear up dog mess in any public place;
Letting dogs off their leads in restricted areas;
Allowing their pets in dog-free zones;
Not putting their dog on a lead if requested to do so by a council warden.
Owners are currently required to keep their dogs on leads in areas such as sport pitches and public footpaths.
The pets are banned from children's play areas, school playing fields and game areas.
It is estimated up to 15,000 residents in the borough own a dog. David Beardmore, the council's team leader for environmental health, said: "I like to think we will never have to issue a fine.
"We are asking residents if they agree with what we are doing in certain places."
Both borough and parish councillors will also have the power to dish out fines if the measure is introduced.
The cash raised through the fines would be ploughed into improving services for dog owners.
Both Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire East already issue fines of £50 with Stafford Borough handing out £75 notices and Staffordshire Moorlands charging £80.
Ann Beech, cabinet member for environment and recycling said: "We want these orders to work for the benefit of all our residents."
To take part in the consultation visit www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/dogcontrols .
Comments
by rubberhead
Sunday, November 25 2012, 8:49PM
“Newcastle Borough Council will issue the fixed penalty notices to dog owners, can they tell us how many notices have they issued over the last 5 years considering the dog warden is on £20,000 plus also how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for littering from the looks of Newcastle Under Lyme non.”
by Milton_Keanes
Sunday, November 25 2012, 4:37PM
“Reality -
"pet hates" !!!
Love it!”
by Reality
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:43PM
“What a happy little chap we are !!
And with such a variety of pet hates..... On your list today we have bus drivers and market traders who you believe are well below your social standing!
You hate dogs ( and probably cats) you are quite adamant about drinkers in general.
Bet you save a fortune on Xmas cards ?”
by the_reaper
Sunday, November 25 2012, 1:06PM
“Too many dog lovers in stoke on trent, they need to face reality and learn that if you must keep one of these stupid worthless animals, they should clean up after it.
No dogmuck problem in the countries that eat dogs, could be the way forward.”
by 7buster
Sunday, November 25 2012, 12:25PM
“It will be just another layer of bureaucracy that cost the tax payer more money and no-one at the council will have the bllas to tackle the dog owners who ignore the laws.”
by freebee123
Saturday, November 24 2012, 10:32AM
“The only time the owners clean dog muck up in Birches Head in winter because it keeps their hands warm.”
by Amy161
Friday, November 23 2012, 8:02PM
“I live in Blurton where these laws are already in place & they don't make a damn bit of difference. The street I live on is rife with dog mess & the council does nothing. I am constantly complaining at the local council office (which ironically is on said street) & yet the problem persists. The road is also a main route to the local primary school which my son goes to so there is a lot of foot traffic. I have made this point to the council many times & still nothing. Once in a blue moon a pavement cleaner runs the length of the street but after a couple of days it's just as bad again. I think it's totally absurd that I have to make a mental not of where all the piles of mess are so I don't end up treading in any during my many trips up & down the street. When the area is in the middle of so called "Regeneration" & all the new housing & shops are being built why not keep the pavements clean too?”
by ghosts
Friday, November 23 2012, 2:05PM
“Wardens should carry cameras and snap....then circulate the photos....then fine the human offenders....”
by britpark
Friday, November 23 2012, 12:18PM
“Unfortunately, the minority of bad owners give the majority of good dog owners a bad name. On several occasions whilst taking my dog for a walk last thing at night, I've seen the same car pull into a dead end by a green area where kids play. The door opens, the dog jumps out, the headlights stay on, the driver stays in the car, the dog ****s, gets back in the car and the car drives off. When approached the driver just gave me a mouth full of abuse. The council say they can't do anything unless they are there to witness it. As the council workers go home at 5pm it's never going to happen.”
by BJStoke
Friday, November 23 2012, 10:28AM
“People that let their dogs run free and defecate in public places without addressing the problem are clearly not responsible dog owners and as such have no respect for authority.
Scenario: a council officer sees a dog defecating and the owner does not clean it up. The officer challenges the owner and gets a mouthful of abuse. The owner refuses to pass any details and walks off never to be seen again. The fixed penalty notice cannot be issued and the fine goes unpaid, not to mention the offending substance left behind.
These ideas are all well and good but in reality......not very well thought out!”