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That’s another mess fine...

8:00am Saturday 27th February 2010 in


THE government reckons that a dog population of around seven million produces a staggering 1000 tonnes of mess per day.

What they can’t tell us just how much of that mess is picked up by responsible dog owners and deposited in bins.

It would be wonderful to think that the vast majority of dog owners are always armed with small bags should the dogs foul any area where people are likely to walk, like footpaths, grassy areas or the beach.

I certainly reckon I’m a responsible dog owner who appreciates there are few things worse than having to dodge piles of mess, especially outside your own house and even more importantly, when you don’t own a dog.

I don’t know what pensioner Dennis Hunt’s issue is, but magistrates have given him a bit to think about with a hefty fine of £700.

Good on them and the same for East Dorset District Council who doggedly pursued him.

To carry out a prosecution, the council needs to witness the owner not picking up the mess and be able to identify them.

However if any of us see an offence and we can identify the offender, the council may be able to take action should you provide a witness statement for the courts.

I am sure that this is a scenario that’s played out across our area, with equal frustration, but if there are powers to prosecute these thoughtless, selfish and lazy individuals, let’s at least use them.

Comments(10)

Gastines says...
12:03pm Sat 27 Feb 10

I keep hoping with the advent of cloning sheep that someone will start cloning Dogs and Cats that will only foul there owners property. Then the repulsive dog-bins will no longer be needed and the thousands spent on their emptying and upkeep can be put to some general public use.

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benjamin says...
6:05pm Sat 27 Feb 10

Now is the time for the re-introduction of dog licenses. A fee of at least £50.00 would be an appropriate charge. There is no doubt that dog fouling has got worse. This is due to increased multiple ownership and paid dog walkers. Owners that have only one dog to look after are more prepared to clean up.

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poolebabe says...
8:17am Sun 28 Feb 10

I personally think that powers should be given to be able to approach dog walkers and check they have bags or equipment on them to be able to pick dog mess up. Dog fouling is a problem. There are good owners who do pick it up, but there are those that couldn't care less. It really annoys me because I always pick up after my dogs, and make sure I always take more bags than I will need.
.

It's such a hard thing to police, but causes such a problem, that I really think it should become an offence to walk a dog without the means to clean up after them. It is a reasonable assumption to me that if a dog walker does not have the means on them to clean up after their dogs, they are not going to. Carrying bags does not ensure that an owner will pick up the mess, but it's a start. Dog fouling is ruining our green spaces and it costs money to clean it up. It needs to be tackled. At the moment it's treated no more than a minor offence, and not enough people are caught. Maybe that's where the problem lays. Dog wardens, the police and community officers should be able to approach dog walkers and ask to see their means of picking up their dog mess.

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Trifecta says...
2:30pm Sun 28 Feb 10

Make it an offence for you to allow your dog to foul the pavement regardless of whether the owner picks it up or not, the dog should be trained to defecate in the property of the owner and then only the owner gets the joy of disposing of the waste. Job done.

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Busy little bee says...
2:51pm Sun 28 Feb 10

under a freedom of info request I am informed that only one person was fined for dog fouling & no one was fined for littering in the last 12mths in Branksome East. I love dogs & appreciate that the majority of owners pick up but I regularly watch the same few handful of owners that don't. No amount of educating will counteract lazy selfish behaviour & as usual the minority spoil it for the majority. It's no good having rules if they are not going to be enforced.

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benjamin says...
6:28pm Sun 28 Feb 10

I always wonder what the dogs are thinking when they see their mess picked up by their owner. They must think it is valuable!

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dancingdog says...
12:04am Mon 1 Mar 10

Any animal pooh is bad but why is it just dog owners who have to clear up after them? Why not horse owners, cat owners, etc? Each NF pony produces vast amounts of excreta but do the Commoners go around clearing it up? No they leave it for ramblers to walk through.

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peter hurt says...
3:42am Mon 1 Mar 10

I was in Bmth a few months ago and remarked on the doggy-doo at the time. It's everywhere. If there is 1,000 tonnes in the U.K. I think Bournemouth must have at least 25% of it. It must surely be the doggy-doo capital of the world.

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stu1 says...
7:29pm Mon 1 Mar 10

If walk through Upton country park to Poole ,you will find most dog owners do pick up their dog poo!

Only trouble they then launch it in the nearest bush when they think they can't be seen. (We are watching you)
You can see dog poo bags, with there contents putrefying, hanging on the bushes like Christmas decorations .
I will be hiding out with my video camera, so beware .

Because your worth it .

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poolebabe says...
5:49pm Wed 3 Mar 10

stu1 wrote:
If walk through Upton country park to Poole ,you will find most dog owners do pick up their dog poo! Only trouble they then launch it in the nearest bush when they think they can't be seen. (We are watching you) You can see dog poo bags, with there contents putrefying, hanging on the bushes like Christmas decorations . I will be hiding out with my video camera, so beware . Because your worth it .
Problem with that is, it's actually illegal to film someone without their permission. So whilst you may think you are doing the right thing, you are breaking the law. Don't get me wrong, I hope these lazy owners get caught though!!

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