Kyle Robinson fights for tough action on Dog Fouling in Butt Lane and Kidsgrove.

Residents of Kidsgrove and surrounding areas of the Borough are being given the opportunity to take a tough stance on dog fouling. Newcastle Borough Council is currently running a consultation that is soon to end and we need more people to say what they think. The officers of the council are asking councillors to give dog wardens more power to tackle dog fouling in the Borough.

Link to the survey: http://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/dogcontrolsurvey/

Dog fouling is a major issue for the town of Kidsgrove. It is the most offensive type of litter on our streets and it is consistently raised as a public concern. Dog fouling is not only unpleasant it is dangerous. The biggest threat to public health from dog excrement is toxocariasis.

Councillors fight the Dog Fouling war!

It is the responsibility of the dog owner or the person in charge of the dog to clear up any dog foul left by their dog. If you fail to clean up after your dog you can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, or if the case goes to court a fine of up to £1,000. The regulations state specifically, that being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the faeces is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog. If someone fails to clean up after their dog, the council will clear dog fouling from public places that it has a legal responsibility for. Newcastle Borough Council has dog wardens and maintains a dog waste bin service in our community.

Kidsgrove Town Council back in July 2012 told Newcastle Borough Council it should do ‘whatever it takes’ to crack down on dog owners who do not clean up after their pets. As far as I am concerned the council should implement whatever it needs to hold to account those people whose dogs foul. I will fully support any decision made about the apprehension of dog owners who do not clean up after their pets.

The children’s play area in Bathpool Park will be dog free.

Under some of the dog control proposals, dog exclusion areas and dogs on leads zones are to be put in place by the Borough Council. Dogs on leads by direction is also being implemented which requires dog owners to place their dog on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised person. Officers such as Dog Wardens, Park Rangers, Police Officers and PCSOs will be able to tell dog walkers to put their dog on a lead, if they feel it is necessary to safeguard others. If you fail to follow their instructions they can issue a fixed penalty notice. Below is a list of areas where these proposals could be enforced if the public protection committee pass the report put before them by council officers.  Please see the lists below to see which areas are being identified for enforcement. 

Enclosed Chldren’s Play Equipment Sites: Dog Exclusions – Dog walkers will not be able to take their dog into certain places – even if they have it on a lead.

Ash View / Powy Drive / Medina Way Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384628,354628,110

Bathpool Park – Children’s Play Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/383809,353461,110

Chester Road – Children’s Play Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Talke http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/382878,352986,110

Clough Hall Park – Children’s Play Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Clough Hall http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/383310,354076,110

Hayhead Close Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384819,354833,110

Medina Way Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384629,354632,110

Merlin Way Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/385803,355263,110

Moorland Road Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Mow Cop http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/385917,357175,110

Powy Drive Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384627,354619,110

Salop Place Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384341,355130,110

Silvermine Close Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384813,354810,110

Whitehall Avenue – Children’s Play Equipment Fenced Children’s Play Equipment Kidsgrove http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/384340,354815,110

Other Chldren’s Play Equipment Sites: Dogs on Leads – Dog walkers must keep their dog on a short lead (not longer than 2 metres) when they walk it in certain places. Due to the design of these sites it is inappropriate or impractical to exclude dogs. Dogs should be placed on a lead when walked within 20 metres of play equipment.

Dales Green Road Unfenced Children’s Play Equipment Mow Cop http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/385346,356343,110

Laurel Drive Unfenced Children’s Play Equipment Hariseahead http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/386392,355565,110

Townfields Close Unfenced Children’s Play Equipment Talke http://streetmap.co.uk/grid/382621,354648,110

Many thanks

Councillor Kyle Robinson