Ferryside dog mess patrol's alarming result
Environmental enforcement officers counted 50 piles of dog mess during a patrol in Ferryside.
It follows a number of complaints to the council of people in the village failing to clean up after their pets.
Now dog owners are being warned to clean up or pay up.
Failing to clean up after your pet in a public place is an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
The council’s environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county and anyone caught failing to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75. Alternatively, they could be prosecuted through the magistrates’ courts where the maximum fine that can be imposed is £1,000.
Officers are stepping up patrols in Ferryside and anyone caught will be prosecuted.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Dog mess left anywhere is a serious health risk and can lead to the spread of diseases such as toxocariasis, which in extreme cases can cause blindness in children. Although there have been no incidents of toxocariasis in Carmarthenshire, there have been over 100 incidents in the UK in the past year.
“Although the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously, there is still a small minority who do not listen. This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught breaking the law will be prosecuted.”
Littering our parks, pavements and public spaces, dog fouling is one of the main causes of complaint to the council. Dog owners are being encouraged to always keep a supply of bags near their dog's lead so they don't forget when they go out for a walk.
The public are also being asked to help identify those responsible by contacting the council with as much information as possible including the time, date and location, a description of the dog and person in charge of the dog.
“Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence,” said Councillor Hughes.
“The council is determined to stop the problem of dog fouling and improve the environment for both residents and visitors to the county.”
If you have any information in relation to dog fouling in Ferryside or anywhere else in the county please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
It follows a number of complaints to the council of people in the village failing to clean up after their pets.
Now dog owners are being warned to clean up or pay up.
Failing to clean up after your pet in a public place is an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
The council’s environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county and anyone caught failing to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75. Alternatively, they could be prosecuted through the magistrates’ courts where the maximum fine that can be imposed is £1,000.
Officers are stepping up patrols in Ferryside and anyone caught will be prosecuted.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Dog mess left anywhere is a serious health risk and can lead to the spread of diseases such as toxocariasis, which in extreme cases can cause blindness in children. Although there have been no incidents of toxocariasis in Carmarthenshire, there have been over 100 incidents in the UK in the past year.
“Although the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously, there is still a small minority who do not listen. This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught breaking the law will be prosecuted.”
Littering our parks, pavements and public spaces, dog fouling is one of the main causes of complaint to the council. Dog owners are being encouraged to always keep a supply of bags near their dog's lead so they don't forget when they go out for a walk.
The public are also being asked to help identify those responsible by contacting the council with as much information as possible including the time, date and location, a description of the dog and person in charge of the dog.
“Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence,” said Councillor Hughes.
“The council is determined to stop the problem of dog fouling and improve the environment for both residents and visitors to the county.”
If you have any information in relation to dog fouling in Ferryside or anywhere else in the county please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
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