Council To Take Action On Dog Fouling
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be working with South Wales Police to carry out joint enforcement to tackle a number of issues – including dog fouling in the coming weeks.
The Council’s Cabinet will also meet next week to discuss the potential introduction of a range of measures aimed at tackling dog fouling and the irresponsible dog owners who are blighting streets, play areas and sports pitches across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Despite the installation of one hundred and fifty new dog bins around the county borough every year, and the fact that dog poo bags are given away for free at many council buildings and by enforcement officers who identify dog owners without bags, there remain some irresponsible dog owners who refuse to clean up after their dogs.
In response to an issue which has regularly been raised by residents, Cabinet will consider launching a period of consultation to get resident’s views on a range of measures which could be introduced to tackle dog fouling.
Options which will be consulted on include the consideration of:
- The prohibition of dog fouling in all public places,
- A requirement that dogs are kept on leads in play grounds & cemeteries owned/maintained by the Council,]
- A requirement to carry bags, or other suitable means, for the disposal of dog faeces,
- A requirement allowing authorised officers to give a direction that a dog be put and kept on a lead if necessary,
- A prohibition excluding dogs from all schools and marked sports pitches owned/maintained by the Council, and
- Increasing the fixed penalty fine to the maximum permitted of £100
County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said:
“The issue of dog fouling has been a prevalent one, particularly over the last year to 18 months, and one which we have tried to tackle through awareness raising, enforcement where necessary, provision of free dog bags and the installation of a number of new dog bins across the county borough every year.
“Recent engagement with residents at consultation events and feedback received via social media has consistently flagged up dog fouling as an issue and unfortunately it is clear that there are still some irresponsible dog owners who refuse to clean up after their dogs – and it can’t continue.
“The majority of dog owners clean up after their dogs and cause no problems at all but unfortunately there are some who don’t even carry dog bags with them when they walk their dogs. In this instance officers currently provide bags free of charge to encourage them to clean up after their dogs but the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order would allow the Council to be much tougher on irresponsible dog owners who have no intention of cleaning up after them.”
County Borough Councillor Joy Rosser, Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Well-being & Communities, added:
“There are a range of options available to Councils and we want to seek the views of residents regarding what measures they would like to see introduced in Rhondda Cynon Taf to tackle this issue.
“In the meantime we are grateful for the support of South Wales Police who have agreed to a major joint enforcement operation involving dozens of Police and Council Enforcement staff aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour – which includes dog fouling.
“Working together with the Police we can cover a wider area and clamp down on any individuals whose behaviour is having a detrimental impact on their communities and demonstrates how serious we are about tackling issues such as dog fouling and wider anti-social behaviour.”
Should Cabinet approve a period of consultation, residents will have the opportunity to have their say on proposals to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order aimed at irresponsible dog owners.
Cabinet will consider this matter at their meeting on Thursday 9 February 2017.
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