New crack down on dog fouling with 'Safer Stratford' message

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Dog Warden, Lisa Parkes is targeting irresponsible dog owners in Stratford-upon-Avon in a new drive to tackle dog fouling in the town.

Working together with Stratford Town Council ward members including District and Town Councillor Jenny Fradgley, the District Council's Dog Warden has been out meeting and greeting dog walkers, distributing leaflets and handing out biodegradable poop scoop bags this week as part of the 'Safer Stratford' campaign in an effort to combat dog fouling.

The aim of the 'Safer Stratford' campaign is to raise the profile of the District Council's Dog Warden services and to increase the awareness of the risks associated with dog mess; not only is it a health hazard, but also a major blight on the local environment.

Lisa Parkes, Dog Warden at Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “Dog mess stinks with footpaths, school playing fields, canal towpaths, parks and other recreational areas all being compromised.  A good proportion of dog owners in the District are responsible, but sadly there are a number that continue to let us down.

“There is no defence to claim ignorance of your dog's actions and only registered blind owners of guide dogs are exempt. Dog fouling is one of the biggest environmental issues for residents. It's time to take action and clamp down on culprits. The message is simple: Scoop it, bag it, bin it!

“Please leave only paw prints - obey the law and pick your dog mess off the floor. Avoid places where children play and remember to worm your dog at least every six months.  By following these simple steps, we can work together to turn the tide on dog fouling."

Failure to clean up after your dog is a criminal offence and could result in a £75 on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice.  Non-payment could lead to a court fine of £1,000.

Cllr Sir William Lawrence, Environment & Planning Portfolio says: “This is a serious issue and a major concern to many people.  Dog fouling is not only a mess, but it can be harmful to people's health. We have to tackle it by getting people to do the responsible thing and pick up after their pets and dispose of the waste properly.  We want responsible dog owners to know they have nothing to fear from these local initiatives, as they respect the environment and pick up after their pets. This is all about getting a clear message across to irresponsible dog owners that their behaviour will not be tolerated."

As part of 'Safer Stratford', targeted patrols are currently being undertaken across Guild and Hathaway, Mount Pleasant, Alveston and Avenue and Newtown. In addition, routine surveillance continues to be undertaken by Lisa Parkes across the District.