Dog fouling around the Borough of Poole is a constant irritation to other users of open spaces and today dog owners are reminded of the Council’s view on it – dog fouling is unacceptable within our local community.
Dog fouling is anti-social and owners who fail to clear up after their dog show a complete disregard for other people, public health and the environment. Failing to clear up after a dog is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 1995.
Local residents caught not cleaning up after their dog or dogs are issued with a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice. Non-payment can lead to legal action resulting in a fine of up to £1,000.
Enforcement officers patrolled Baiter Park to target dog walkers in a popular area that is subject to many complaints. They were accompanied by two local Ward Councillors, Canford Cliffs Cllr May Haines and Penn Hill Cllr Xena Dion, who is also Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Open Spaces.
Cllr Haines: ‘We have been pushing for the poop bag disposers to be kept full and have had them put out along Baiter Park, Whitecliff and the dog zone at Sandbanks, so there is absolutely no excuse for owners to leave dog mess for others, particularly young children, to walk in, which is extremely unpleasant.’
Cllr Xena Dion: ‘The problem isn’t just when people leave their dog’s mess on the ground, equally disgusting is those that clear it into a bag then leave the bag hanging in a hedge or tree instead of taking it to a bin. This is equally unacceptable and the offender faces littering fines through court proceedings of up to £2,500 and we will pursue it.’