How to solve the problem of anti-social dog owners

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are seeking help from the public in solving the ongoing problems of anti-social behavior involving dogs.
They have launched a public consultation to find out residents’ views on what should be done about dog fouling, out-of-control dogs and irresponsible dog owners.
The vast majority of dog owners act responsibly, keeping their dogs under control and cleaning up dog s waste.
However, the borough council continues to receive complaints about dog-related problems and irresponsible dog owners.
As a result, they have launched a consultation keeping opinions on dog-related issues.
One possibility is making Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) which can be used to regulate activities that have a detrimental impact on the local community.
PSPOs are particularly helpful for councils and the police who sometimes need additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The council’s cabinet member for environment and public protection, Cllr Judith Guthrie (pictured) said: “We recognise that most dog owners take their responsibilities seriously, making sure dogs behave and that they clean up after them.
“However, there are still a small number of less considerate dog owners that impact public spaces and communities. Issues like dog fouling and aggressive behaviour are just some of the things we continue to receive complaints about.
The consultation provides those responding with the opportunity to shape how any PSPO will look and will help us to identify and work towards resolving problem areas and pressing issues. We also recognise that dog owners are keen to look after their pets’ welfare, and we want to ensure there are still plenty of areas to responsibly walk dogs and enjoy our open spaces.”
Residents can get involved by completing the consultation survey. Visit smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PSPOdog before February 29.