Witham: PCSO patrols to stamp out dog fouling (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Witham: PCSO patrols to stamp out dog fouling

3:05pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

Police Community Support Officers and dog wardens will be patrolling Witham to try and stop dog fouling on pavements. 

 

The wardens will be issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone who is seen to allow their dog to foul the pavement and does not clean it up.

 

PCSO Anna Groves said: "Allowing dogs to foul the pavement might seem like a minor issue to some, but the cumulative effect of this problem is to create an unclean environment which can have knock on effects for the health of everyone.

 

"This is anti-social behaviour and it is an issue that has been raised at our Neighbourhood Action Panels so we know that a lot of people feel very strongly about it."

 

She added that patrols already carried out had identified the Templars Estate area as one which was facing a particular problem with dog fouling and patrols would be concentrating on this area in the short term.

 

The legislation used by Braintree District Council to enforce dog fouling is The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Anyone witnessed committing an offence under this legislation can be issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice.

 

If they fail to pay this fixed penalty notice within 14 days then they can be prosecuted which carries a fine of up to £1,000 upon conviction.

 

PCSO Groves added: "In certain areas you can have a major problem caused by one or two people walking a set route. We need information from the public on approximate times the offender is out, and a description of the person and dog, to help us stamp out this unacceptable behaviour."

 

Anyone who has information about dog fouling can contact PCSO Groves at Essex Police on 101 or contact Andrew Potter, Dog Warden at Braintree District Council on 01376 552525 ext 2217. People can also report this online on https://www.braintree.gov.uk/forms/form/306/en/report_a_dog_fouling_offender.