Is the new Public Spaces Protection Order on dog fouling working in Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils new dog-fouling rules come into force from October 1st, 2017
Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), came into force on October 1st, 2017, the PSPO said that:
- Dog owners MUST clean up their dogs’ mess immediately and dispose of it properly.
- Dog owners MUST carry means to pick up dog mess (i.e. bags) at all times.
- Dog owners MUST follow a direction from an authorised officer to put a dog on a lead.
- Dogs are BANNED from all schools, children’s play areas and marked sports pitches maintained by the Council.
- Dogs MUST be kept on a lead at all times in Council maintained cemeteries.
Since the PSPO came into force it would appear dog fouling is on the increase in our streets and lanes even with the expansion of RCTC streetcare enforcement team. Dog fouling outside schools is still a big problem many local residents reports of Twitter that irresponsible dog owners just allow their dogs to foul pavements with no thought of small children having to negotiate the mess on the way to school. Residents say this is a daily occurrence in some places after it has been reported to RCTC, where are the streetcare enforcement, team? Why is the Dog fouling continuing in the same places every night even when it has been reported.
RCTC say they have made £10,000 from fining irresponsible dog owners.
“Nigel Wheeler, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's director of highways and streetcare services, said: "In total, fines of more than £10,000 have now been issued for people breaking the new dog fouling rules – which could have easily been avoided if people had simply acted responsibly.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42840229
£10,000 in three months from more than 100 fines but how many irresponsible dog owners have paid up? AberdareOnline and many others have asked RCTC the question but up to now, they haven’t answered. AberdareOnline has also asked where and when the fines were issued again RCTC have not responded.
Would DNA for dogs be the answer? A number of councils have started running DNA system and tests on dog mess to trace culprits.
Photo http://aboutmanchester.co.uk/
