Friday
26
April
Dog owners will be fined for not clearing up pet poo
12/02/2021 @ 07:53
Traffic Enforcement Officers in Newtown will not be given responsibility for dog fouling in the area, although pet owners can still be fined.
Councillors have been told that even though there are no dog wardens employed by Powys County Council, fines can still be handed out by Environmental Protection Officers.
Cllr Garth Ratcliffe asked in a meeting if the county had plans to combat dog fouling in the county.
He also pointed out that in the past he, along with other councillors, had brought the issue to the council’s attention in the hope that something would be done about it.
One suggestion Cllr Ratcliffe had previously made was to have Traffic Enforcement Officers help out.
Another to bring the issue up was Cllr Emily Durrant. “It should come as no surprise that with no dog wardens, dog fouling is on the increase, and the problem worsened by the fact that dog ownership has increased dramatically during lockdown," she said.
Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Engagement & Regulatory Services, Cllr Graham Breeze, said: “Although PCC no longer employs dog wardens, arrangements are in place for the reporting of incidences of dog fouling.
“Complaints of dog fouling are initially referred to the Highways Department who will arrange for the area to be cleaned, and erect “No Fouling” signs and bins as appropriate.
“However, if there is a witness to the incident or the name and address of the offender is known then the matter is referred to the Environmental Protection team who will investigate the matter, and if there is sufficient evidence, will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
Cllr Breeze added: “With respect to the proposal to review the powers of Civil Enforcement Officers (Traffic Wardens) to assist with the enforcement of dog fouling, the Highways Department have advised that adding duties to their current role would diminish their ability to effectively manage traffic within our towns and villages.”
To make a complaint about dog fouling visit: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/4511/Report-dog-fouling on the PCC website.
Councillors have been told that even though there are no dog wardens employed by Powys County Council, fines can still be handed out by Environmental Protection Officers.Cllr Garth Ratcliffe asked in a meeting if the county had plans to combat dog fouling in the county.
He also pointed out that in the past he, along with other councillors, had brought the issue to the council’s attention in the hope that something would be done about it.
One suggestion Cllr Ratcliffe had previously made was to have Traffic Enforcement Officers help out.
Another to bring the issue up was Cllr Emily Durrant. “It should come as no surprise that with no dog wardens, dog fouling is on the increase, and the problem worsened by the fact that dog ownership has increased dramatically during lockdown," she said.
Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Engagement & Regulatory Services, Cllr Graham Breeze, said: “Although PCC no longer employs dog wardens, arrangements are in place for the reporting of incidences of dog fouling.
“Complaints of dog fouling are initially referred to the Highways Department who will arrange for the area to be cleaned, and erect “No Fouling” signs and bins as appropriate.
“However, if there is a witness to the incident or the name and address of the offender is known then the matter is referred to the Environmental Protection team who will investigate the matter, and if there is sufficient evidence, will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
Cllr Breeze added: “With respect to the proposal to review the powers of Civil Enforcement Officers (Traffic Wardens) to assist with the enforcement of dog fouling, the Highways Department have advised that adding duties to their current role would diminish their ability to effectively manage traffic within our towns and villages.”
To make a complaint about dog fouling visit: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/4511/Report-dog-fouling on the PCC website.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|