Council swoops on poop non-scoopers with 28 fixed penalty notices
A TOTAL of 28 fixed-penalty notices have been issued in the city in the last 15 months to dog owners who haven't scooped up their pet's poop.
Plymouth City Council has fined the owners who didn't "bag it and bin it" up to £80 each.
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The council released the statistics as it renewed calls for dog owners to clean up after their pets if they foul in parks and public spaces — or face the hefty fines.
It made the call at the start of National Poop Scoop Week, which starts today and runs until Friday. The council and charity Dogs Trust said they were using the week to warn owners not to fall foul of the law.
"While the majority of people are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dog owners a bad name", said a spokesman for the council.
Council officers could issue fixed- penalty notices to owners who did not scoop their dog's poop, resulting in an £80 fine which must be paid within 14 days — reduced to £60 if paid within seven days.
Between April last year and March this year, the council's Animal Health and Welfare Team issued 23 fixed-penalty notices, with another five being issued since March.
"One person was prosecuted for non-payment and subsequently fined £640 by magistrates," said the spokesman.
"During Poop Scoop Week, the team will be patrolling the city's parks and promoting responsible dog ownership."
Council dog wardens, neighbourhood wardens and police community support officers all have the authority to issue fixed-penalty notices and carry out patrols.
Councillor Mike Leaves, the council's Cabinet member for community services (street scene, waste and sustainability) said: "Dog-fouling is a matter of concern for many. There's a minority of owners who refuse to clear up after their animals and are blighting our green spaces."
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by Dog owner plymstock, Plymstock
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 9:44PM
“I have a dog and walk daily at billacombe fields I am disgusted about all the dog mess on the lane to the fields and in the fields there are poo bins on the entrances but people don't pick there dogs mess up. Some do and bag it but throw the bag in the hedges. Plymouth city council don't want to no about it. And they won't put any signs up. I think it's bad.”
by Mick, Barbican
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 12:42AM
“Stuart quote- "Mick...re cats,you're right they don't squat on the pavement,they do it in my garden several times a day.while digging up my plants"
That's better than doing it on the pavement. Anyway if they dig up the odd plant it's accidental, I'm sure they don't think "Let's dig up his petunias to wind him up while we're here" Look on the bright side, they manure your soil for free and stop mice and rats nesting in your shed and invading your house..:)”
by anon, eggbuckland
Monday, July 26 2010, 11:15PM
“maybe they would like to dish out some fines to the lazy, dirty owners who let their dogs s**t on or at the end of my driveway!”
by William, The Hoe
Monday, July 26 2010, 10:23PM
“I think dog owners on The Hoe are very responsible in 'picking up' after their pooches in the daytime. BUT I have a suspicion they may not be so conscientious at night when Rover goes walkies off the lead with no-one to see him.”
by Pawsnclaws, Plymouth
Monday, July 26 2010, 9:00PM
“here come the anti dog lobby again ,I've worked with dogs and their owners for over 22yrs and in the main are a very lovely bunch who like myself and the majority of responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs .my 5yr old boy while walking with myself and the dogs started picking up glass beer bottles thrown down ready for the grass cutter to go over and smash ,he put them out the way so the dogs and other little children(his words) wouldn't cut themselves .And yes of course I made sure he didn't touch any broken bottles or the tops of the bottles (wouldn't want to be called a bad parent now would I)
and yes nothing annoys me more than having to step over poo to pick up after my own dog,as always its the few that make things bad for the many”