NO fines have been handed to dog owners who failed to clear up after their pet, despite nearly 300 reports made to the council.
Since BCP Council formed in April 2019, the authority has received 279 complaints about dog mess on pavements, beaches and in parks.
Despite a downward trend for the offence (77 were reported in 2019/20, 60 in 2020/21, 65 in 2021/22 and 60 in 2022/23), council officers failed to hand out any fines, according to an Echo FOI.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy said it wants to eradicate dog fouling by 2030 and is calling for councils across the country to provide an “effective network” of bins in known dog walking areas.
A spokesperson said: “We want local authorities to maintain an effective enforcement service and make full use of current controls, such as public spaces protection orders (PSPOs), to ensure that dogs and dog waste are effectively controlled.”
However, BCP Council said it is not an easy job to fining people letting their dog make a mess
Read more: “It’s horrible when they hit dog poo when strimming.”
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, said: “Issuing of fixed penalty notices (FPN) for this offence is an ongoing challenge due to the need to tie the event to an individual and their animal.
“Many dog owners are responsible and go out for walks equipped to clean up after their pet; we need all dog owners to do so.”
He added every dog owner has a responsibility to pick up after their dog and pointed out it is against the law to not do so.
“As well as being unpleasant to see and step in, it can also be dangerous to children and other dogs, as well as causing damage to the natural environment,” Cllr Hadley added.
Read more: Human poo found in the streets reported 29 times to BCP Council
“If there are large amounts of fouling or evidence of a persistent problem in a particular area, we will use a combination of education and enforcement action.
“For example, we may erect temporary signage, increase patrols in the area and give advice to dog owners.”
Incidents of dog waste and other fouling can be reported on the council’s website at https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Roads-and-transport/Report-a-problem-on-a-road-or-pavement/Dog-waste.aspx.
Last month, BCP Council called for the public to behave after 29 incidents of human poo being found in the streets were recorded.
Human fouling was recorded 22 times in public spaces since April 2019, while Christchurch saw four and Poole saw three.
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