Cabinet to consider results of dog fouling consultation
At the first meeting of Cabinet since the local government elections, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Members will consider the introduction of tough measures to tackle dog fouling in the County Borough.
Cabinet Members will meet next week to review the results of an extensive public consultation on how best to tackle dog fouling and irresponsible dog owners across the County Borough.
During February and March this year, the Council undertook an extensive four-week consultation with residents on a wide range of issues, including the proposed introduction of new, harder-hitting measures under a Public Spaces Protection Order. They include:
- The prohibition of dog fouling in all public places.
- A requirement that dogs are kept on leads in play grounds and cemeteries owned/maintained by the Council.
- A requirement to carry bags, or other suitable means, for the disposal of dog faeces.
- A requirement allowing authorised officers to give a direction that a dog be put and kept on a lead if necessary.
- A prohibition excluding dogs from all schools and marked sports pitches owned/maintained by the Council.
- Increasing the fixed penalty fine to the maximum permitted of £100.
Thousands of residents across the County Borough took the opportunity to put their views forward. The consultation visited parks, retail outlets, town centres, schools, leisure centres and more – and included an online survey – to ensure residents could have their say on this important issue.
Cabinet Members will discuss the outcome of the consultation at their meeting on Thursday, June 22.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “The issue of dog fouling and irresponsible dog owners has been increasingly raised by residents in recent times, which is why Cabinet decided to formally obtain people’s views on how best to tackle the problem.
“The majority of dog owners clean up after their dogs and cause no problems at all, but unfortunately there are some who don’t even carry dog bags with them when they walk their dogs. A range of proposals were consulted on to see what people think about introducing a range of new measures.
“The importance of this issue to local people was highlighted by just how many people engaged with us during the consultation. Whether it was speaking to the consultation team in their local park or town centre, or completing the online survey – thousands of people took part in the process.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council collects more than 110 tonnes of dog mess from bins and streets every year, and provides more than 1,000 specific bins near dog walking routes to make it as easy as possible for dog owners to act responsibly. Poo bags are also given away for free at more than 100 locations across the County Borough.
For more information about the Council’s dog fouling consultation, visit http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/GetInvolved/Consultations/CompletedConsultations/DogFoulingConsultation.aspx.
