5:28pm Thursday 22nd November 2007
By Journal Reporter
NEW Forest dog owners who fail to clear up behind their pets could find themselves being prosecuted by town or district councils.
New Forest District Council is currently asking town and parish councils if they want to have Dog Control Orders (DCOs), available since April 2006 as part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, operational in their patches.
Local councils are being asked to go for one of four options: Retain existing bylaws and/or the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act; supplement existing provisions with DCOs; individual councils declare their own DCOs or, for the district council to instigate a DCO across the whole area.
At Ringwood, councillors have opted for the latter choice.
The town council currently relies on the fouling of land act of 1996 to keep its verges and recreation areas free of dog mess.
Option two would lead to confusion with two acts working in parallel, says the council.
advertisement Option three would mean the district council would not be able to assist local councils in enforcement proceedings. In addition, the fouling act is not being enforced because the district council only has two dog wardens.
But option four - the district-wide ban on fouling - would "lead to a consistent approach, as the tariff for fixed penalties would be the same across the district. Also, provisions could be enforced by staff from both authorities", though town council groundsmen would have to be trained to issue fixed penalty notices.
In addition, the town's two PCSOs will soon have the power to issue fixed penalty notices when a service level agreement is agreed with Hampshire Constabulary.
The town council will also have the option to use DCOs to exclude dogs from specific locations, such as playgrounds or children's play areas.
Town council clerk Terry Simpson said dog fouling was no longer a big problem in the town as dog owners were becoming aware they should pick up after their pets.
"I think this will deal with those who are not socially responsible," he said.
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