Dog owners face fines

DOG owners in Warrington have been warned they face a fine if they don’t clean up after their pet.
The borough council has issued the warning after taking action against a Penketh resident who failed to clear up after allowing their dog to foul on land used by local children.
Council enforcement officers were able to issue a £50 fixed penalty notice following complaints from local residents who witnessed the fouling taking place.
Pete Astley, assistant director for regulation and public protection said: “Failing to clean up after a dog is not only unpleasant and a nuisance to your neighbours but dangerous as well, as dog faeces can spread infections
“And with a canine population estimated at eight million, with British dogs producing about 1,000 tonnes of excrement every day, it costs the UK a staggering £22 million to clean up dog mess.
“Councils are having to make severe cuts in services and it is very sad that we still have to spend a large amount of money clearing up after these totally irresponsible dog owners, which should be being spent on other vital services.
“Consequently we will do whatever we can in tracking down and prosecuting these individuals to stop this scourge on the local environment.
“We would encourage people to report anyone who allows their dog to foul by calling the council on 01925 443322 so that we can hold them accountable for their actions.
“I appreciate that some people may be concerned about reporting such incidents, but I can give the assurance that all such calls will be treated confidentially and I must stress that the local public can really help us to win this battle by reporting any incidents of dog fouling”.