Dog owners in Rushcliffe are being reminded to pick up after their pooches and carry a bag, or have another means to collect their waste, or face a possible £100 fine.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has thanked the vast majority of owners who always responsibly pick up after their pets but is aware that, unfortunately, not all follow the rules.
Action around this continues through engaging and educating dog owners on their responsibilities, responding to complaints, monitoring hotspot areas, and applying fixed penalties where necessary.
There are also patrols to ensure dogs are kept on leads in the current ‘dogs on lead’ specified areas, such as at Rushcliffe Country Park, and always in line with local signage at each site.
Dog fouling on public footpaths and playing fields can cause many problems and, in the worst cases, can lead to blindness due to an infection called toxocariasis, caused by the roundworm Toxocara canis found in dog faeces.
A borough-wide Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) exists for all residents’ protection. Measures include a maximum of six dogs being walked at any one time, and four in some locations, including Gresham Sports Park and Alford Road in West Bridgford. To find out more, visit www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/pspo.
The PSPO also allows for further action to be taken against those who do not observe dog exclusion zones, which apply to all children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks, and gym equipment zones that are either fenced or enclosed across the borough.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Cllr Rob Inglis, recently joined Councillor Phil Wigginton from Upper Saxondale Parish Council, Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) Officer Susan Cater, and RBC’s Animal Wardens Aidan Grosse and Darren West to discuss the ongoing action being taken to tackle dog fouling.
Cllr Inglis said: “I recently visited Upper Saxondale to help raise awareness of dog fouling, sending a clear message that it will not be tolerated here or anywhere in the borough.
“A big thank you to the vast majority of dog owners who take their responsibilities seriously and, to the minority who flout the rules, remember we monitor and apply fines, including for those who don’t carry bags.
“We are very keen to continue protecting residents from dog fouling. It’s unsightly and a health risk, and we will always take action to minimise problems where we can, especially when any localised issues are identified.”
