Members Concerns
August 2011 - We have received a few complaints from residents regarding dog fouling
The rules concerning this were updated on 29th January 2008, the the following still applies
News Release PR 911 Issued 29 January 2008
With effect from 1 February 2008, new rules come into effect enabling the Borough Council's enforcement officers to take action against dog owners who fail to clean up after their dog has defecated on public open space.
The new dog control order has been brought in under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. It replaces all other dog control orders and means that it will be an offence for the person in charge of the dog to fail to clean up after the dog has defecated on any open space to which the public have access. The new order also means that dogs are excluded from the bathing beach in Hunstanton - although they will have unrestricted access to miles of beach either side of the bathing beach. The new order also requires that dogs should be kept on a lead on the area of the promenade adjacent to the bathing beach in Hunstanton.
Cllr Brian Long, Cabinet member for Environment, explained: "Dog fouling is at best unsightly and unpleasant. At worst it can actually cause disease and blindness. Under this new order we will be much more able to take enforcement action against irresponsible dog owners. The majority of dog owners are responsible and dutifully clean up after their dog has fouled, but it is the small minority that make it unpleasant for everyone else."
The new Dog Control Orders will mean that anyone found guilty on prosecution of breaching the order would be subject to a fine of up to £1,000.
So What can you do
A considerable number of complaints relating to dog fouling are received every year. The Borough Council has several initiatives regarding responsible dog ownership to encourage owners to look after their dogs.
The Council has made a Dog Control Order under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act 2005 which requires owners and persons in charge of dogs to clean up after their dogs on:-
- Any land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment) within the Borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.
- Conviction of offenders
- If a dog fouls at any time on designated land and the person in charge of the dog fails to clean up the faeces, then that person is guilty of an offence of breaching the control order above. On conviction a fine of up to, but not exceeding £1,000 can be imposed.
- Authorised Officers from the Borough Council also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to offenders in the sum of £75.00.
- It is the intention that persistent offenders will be prosecuted.
- Dog fouling signs
- Areas that have been designated as clean up areas will normally be signed. It is not possible to sign every street within the Borough, but most streets in the towns and villages of West Norfolk have been signed so that members of the public can see which areas have been designated as clean up areas. Other areas, such as parks and recreation grounds and beaches have also been provided with signs.
- If you would like additional signs provided or would like any further information then please feel free to contact Clean Up on 0500 253 2687 or email: cne-dogs@west-norfolk.gov.uk.
- Report dog fouling
- If you are aware of a dog fouling incident as defined above or have any information on owners who do not pick up after their dogs please report it to us using the Animal Fouling Report eForm or alternatively telephone the Dog Enforcement Service on 01553 616200.