Call for increase in dog fouling fine

12:27pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News

FINES PLEA: Darlington man calls for increase in fines issued to dog owners who do not collect their pets’ droppings FINES PLEA: Darlington man calls for increase in fines issued to dog owners who do not collect their pets’ droppings

A DARLINGTON man has called for a hefty increase in the fines issued to dog owners who do not collect their pets’ droppings.

David Reed, of Wilton Drive, contacted The Northern Echo after becoming frustrated when a pile of dog dirt was left uncollected on a footpath at the end of his drive.

He said: “This pile was left between 6pm and 9pm on Friday evening.

“The owner of this dogs pile is totally irresponsible, lazy and effectively had no intention of cleaning up.

“It's about time dog licences were re-introduced at a figure that would make it worthwhile for the council to collect and the paltry fine when imposed increased because there is no deterrent.

“This type of anti-social behavior by dog owners is totally unacceptable.

“The footpath in question has a high footfall during the week with parents and others taking their young children to the local primary school, not a pretty sight for them to pass.”

Mr Reed, who is not a dog owner, said he was left with no choice but to clean up the mess himself.

Last month (January), Darlington Borough urged pet owners to take more responsibility.

The council’s Street Scene teams and dog wardens have reported an increase in complaints about the issue.

A fixed penalty fine of £75 can be issued to people who fail to pick up after their pets, which can be increased to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

Reports of dog fouling can be made anonymously, by calling 01325-38877, emailing dishthedirt@darlington.gov.uk or visiting darlington.gov.uk/reportit

Comments (14)

1:52pm Mon 11 Feb 13

sarahd says...

I am a dog owner. I love my dog but dislike cleaning up its dirt but it is my dog so I have to do it(and do). I hate it when I see people have left it all over. This is especially dreadful as it is very close to a school. Imagine children walking in it, walking it into the school hall and then the children sit down for assembly. Inevitably getting it on their hands. If it is a small amount left, they will probably not even know they have it on their hands, and what do children do- put their hands in their mouth, bite finger nails etc. This is disgusting.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG, DON'T HAVE ONE.

Well done to this gentleman for thinking of the children and cleaning it up. He shouldn't have had to though.
I am a dog owner. I love my dog but dislike cleaning up its dirt but it is my dog so I have to do it(and do). I hate it when I see people have left it all over. This is especially dreadful as it is very close to a school. Imagine children walking in it, walking it into the school hall and then the children sit down for assembly. Inevitably getting it on their hands. If it is a small amount left, they will probably not even know they have it on their hands, and what do children do- put their hands in their mouth, bite finger nails etc. This is disgusting. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG, DON'T HAVE ONE. Well done to this gentleman for thinking of the children and cleaning it up. He shouldn't have had to though. sarahd

2:13pm Mon 11 Feb 13

NBSassist says...

It is thoroughly disgusting, however dog licences and hefty fines won't deter the inconsiderate people from letting their dogs foul anywhere. They are the same people who won't bother to get a dog licence and the already financially stretched police force won't be making it a top priority to check or enforce these matters.

The pathway to St Teresa's School on Harris Street is the most disgusting stretch of highway imaginable, with dog dirt every few feet or so. It's one thing to let your dog foul on a public highway but it's more heinous to allow this fouling outside a children's school!!

Maybe licences should come with DNA info so we can test the poo and send it back to the owner?!
It is thoroughly disgusting, however dog licences and hefty fines won't deter the inconsiderate people from letting their dogs foul anywhere. They are the same people who won't bother to get a dog licence and the already financially stretched police force won't be making it a top priority to check or enforce these matters. The pathway to St Teresa's School on Harris Street is the most disgusting stretch of highway imaginable, with dog dirt every few feet or so. It's one thing to let your dog foul on a public highway but it's more heinous to allow this fouling outside a children's school!! Maybe licences should come with DNA info so we can test the poo and send it back to the owner?! NBSassist

2:40pm Mon 11 Feb 13

trugggg says...

I took my dog to Eastbourne park yesterday. It was disgusting and covered in dog mess everywhere. After cleaning up my dogs mess I still needed to clean her paws as she could not avoid standing in the poo.
I agree that fines should hurt the selfish dog owners.
I took my dog to Eastbourne park yesterday. It was disgusting and covered in dog mess everywhere. After cleaning up my dogs mess I still needed to clean her paws as she could not avoid standing in the poo. I agree that fines should hurt the selfish dog owners. trugggg

3:08pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Butafly says...

Isn't just darlington,its everwhere, chilton primary school surroundings are very bad too,most footpaths to and from the school/nursery. It is discraceful how many let their dogs drop their dirt on public footpaths, its ok saying 'fines will be given' it is actualy catching those lazy unresponseable dog owners who let their dogs do it, my daughter was another child walking home last wk from nursery having her shoes washed arriving at home.
Maybe people should comment here the realy bad areas,hoping a warding wil patrol those areas a little more often,to stop those owners who don't pick up after their pets,or catch those dogs running lose that dirt of footpaths
Isn't just darlington,its everwhere, chilton primary school surroundings are very bad too,most footpaths to and from the school/nursery. It is discraceful how many let their dogs drop their dirt on public footpaths, its ok saying 'fines will be given' it is actualy catching those lazy unresponseable dog owners who let their dogs do it, my daughter was another child walking home last wk from nursery having her shoes washed arriving at home. Maybe people should comment here the realy bad areas,hoping a warding wil patrol those areas a little more often,to stop those owners who don't pick up after their pets,or catch those dogs running lose that dirt of footpaths Butafly

3:56pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Quaker79 says...

They should try enforcement of the existing penalties first. Eastbourne park is a disgrace and so are the streets leading to it. There is dog crap literally surrounding Dodmire School/Rydal Academy, it's almost impossible to access the school without having to encounter some!

I have witnessed somebody letting their dog mess in this area, and then just walking off. I would have happily told them what I thought of them, but unfortunately she was a girl of about 14. For obvious reasons, you can't crawl alongside the kerb and wind your window down to talk to a 14-year old girl in the street!
They should try enforcement of the existing penalties first. Eastbourne park is a disgrace and so are the streets leading to it. There is dog crap literally surrounding Dodmire School/Rydal Academy, it's almost impossible to access the school without having to encounter some! I have witnessed somebody letting their dog mess in this area, and then just walking off. I would have happily told them what I thought of them, but unfortunately she was a girl of about 14. For obvious reasons, you can't crawl alongside the kerb and wind your window down to talk to a 14-year old girl in the street! Quaker79

4:41pm Mon 11 Feb 13

louisewilson55 says...

I totally agree that something needs to be done. I live in the denes and lately it's unbelievable. Me and my 4 year old are constantly avoiding the mud as she calls it! Wonder how these people would feel if I was to let her do the toilet in the street and not pick it up???
I totally agree that something needs to be done. I live in the denes and lately it's unbelievable. Me and my 4 year old are constantly avoiding the mud as she calls it! Wonder how these people would feel if I was to let her do the toilet in the street and not pick it up??? louisewilson55

7:40pm Mon 11 Feb 13

bishop1 says...

no better in bishop , dirty irresponsible pet owners should make be cleaning up after their mutts , end of .
no better in bishop , dirty irresponsible pet owners should make be cleaning up after their mutts , end of . bishop1

7:58pm Mon 11 Feb 13

maur1 says...

same aycliffe
same aycliffe maur1

9:18am Tue 12 Feb 13

Yemen says...

10,000% agree. i would also suggest that a 10 hour community service order be slapped on them also ... and that the community service should be picking up and cleaning dog mess !
10,000% agree. i would also suggest that a 10 hour community service order be slapped on them also ... and that the community service should be picking up and cleaning dog mess ! Yemen

10:00am Tue 12 Feb 13

mark.wilkinson says...

It says an awful lot about you as a person if you don't pick up your dogs mess.

If you're caught not cleaning up after your dog, you should be fined at least £250.00. If you're caught for a second time then your dog should be permanently taken from you and the fine doubled.

Personally I'd like to see your noses literally rubbed in it you dirty scum bags.

Anyone who's ever had the misfortune of bringing dog crap into their house on the soles of their feet knows how disgusting it is. And it's about time that the law and punishments became much stricter on this matter.
It says an awful lot about you as a person if you don't pick up your dogs mess. If you're caught not cleaning up after your dog, you should be fined at least £250.00. If you're caught for a second time then your dog should be permanently taken from you and the fine doubled. Personally I'd like to see your noses literally rubbed in it you dirty scum bags. Anyone who's ever had the misfortune of bringing dog crap into their house on the soles of their feet knows how disgusting it is. And it's about time that the law and punishments became much stricter on this matter. mark.wilkinson

5:32pm Wed 13 Feb 13

sleeping dragon says...

in todays edition of the weardale gazette is an article about a pcso and a d.c.c.neighbourhood warden on patrol in stanhope at the end of january who issued three warning letters the place is still a dogs toilet makes one wonder if they had issued fixed penalty notices there may have been an improvement
in todays edition of the weardale gazette is an article about a pcso and a d.c.c.neighbourhood warden on patrol in stanhope at the end of january who issued three warning letters the place is still a dogs toilet makes one wonder if they had issued fixed penalty notices there may have been an improvement sleeping dragon

1:31pm Sat 16 Feb 13

madsmadsissy says...

I had an encounter with a man in a park some while back. He let his dog do it's business and walked away from it. I called after him and said he needed to pick it up. I got a mouthful of abuse and the usual ''mind your own business''. I walked away saying it was people like him that gave responsible owners a bad name. He started coming towards me shouting abuse, and I can tell you he was as wide as he was tall. I beat a hasty retreat with his words ringing in my ears. I didn't tell anyone, not even my husband, but I don't walk my dog around there anymore. That's what happens when you try to do the right thing. I don't know what the answer is to irresponsible dog owners. All I know is I do my bit and other responsible owners do aswell.
I had an encounter with a man in a park some while back. He let his dog do it's business and walked away from it. I called after him and said he needed to pick it up. I got a mouthful of abuse and the usual ''mind your own business''. I walked away saying it was people like him that gave responsible owners a bad name. He started coming towards me shouting abuse, and I can tell you he was as wide as he was tall. I beat a hasty retreat with his words ringing in my ears. I didn't tell anyone, not even my husband, but I don't walk my dog around there anymore. That's what happens when you try to do the right thing. I don't know what the answer is to irresponsible dog owners. All I know is I do my bit and other responsible owners do aswell. madsmadsissy

11:48am Sun 17 Feb 13

delboy1977 says...

Its ok issuing fines but its difficult to catch the person/dog leaving it !! I live in the west end of town in a corner house, we have a srtrip of grass between our front wall and footpath, every morning appeared the biggest turd you could imagine ! i spent months watching to catch who it was !! in the end i left a camcorder and caught this bloke and his bloody big dog in the act at 3 in the morning !! the next night i got up at 3 and sorted this guy out after that it has never happened again and i have never seen him !!! im sure the council or police would not put as much effort in as i did catching this guy !
Its ok issuing fines but its difficult to catch the person/dog leaving it !! I live in the west end of town in a corner house, we have a srtrip of grass between our front wall and footpath, every morning appeared the biggest turd you could imagine ! i spent months watching to catch who it was !! in the end i left a camcorder and caught this bloke and his bloody big dog in the act at 3 in the morning !! the next night i got up at 3 and sorted this guy out after that it has never happened again and i have never seen him !!! im sure the council or police would not put as much effort in as i did catching this guy ! delboy1977

5:53pm Sun 17 Feb 13

greenfinger says...

middlestone moor is dog sh!t central imo. disgusting!
middlestone moor is dog sh!t central imo. disgusting! greenfinger

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