Dog Control Orders proposed
St.Helens Council is proposing to introduce two Dog Control
Orders to give it greater powers to tackle dog related issues.
The orders relate to dog fouling and keeping dogs on leads when
requested to do so.
Since 1997 St Helens Council has been able to issue fixed
penalty notices to anyone who has been seen failing to clean up
after a dog. In 2006 the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
came into force and this enabled Councils to review their existing
procedures for dealing with dog fouling and other dog related
issues. The Council is now proposing new changes to the
control of dogs within the borough by introducing two Dog Control
Orders.
Says Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for
Environmental Protection and Safer Communities: "We recognise
that the majority of dog owners are responsible, picking up after
their dogs and keeping them under proper control. However, there
are a minority who don't and this causes problems that lead to
complaints being made to the council.
"The most common complaint is dog fouling In 2011, the council
received 493 complaints of dog fouling. Apart from getting dog
faeces on our shoes and making the area look unsightly, dog faeces
can carry harmful bacteria such as Toxocariasis. The Council also
receives complaints regarding dogs which are not kept under control
when out in public. Of particular concern are dogs which are
allowed to roam freely in cemeteries and across graves. The Council
also receives complaints from the public regarding dogs which cause
distress and on occasions danger by jumping up at people or running
onto roadways."
St Helens Council intends to issue fixed penalty notices to
enforce the proposed Control Orders. The payment of £75 will be
required if a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued. Failure to pay a
Fixed Penalty Notice may result in prosecution with a maximum fine
of £1000.
Further details can be seen at www.sthelens.gov.uk.
Copies of the proposed Orders and Plan may be seen free of charge
from 9.30am to 5.00pm Mondays to Fridays at:
St Helens Town Hall
Victoria Square
St Helens
WA10 1HE
Or 9.30am - 5.00pm, Mondays - Fridays (Saturday 9.30am -
4.00pm)
Central Library
Victoria Square
St Helens
WA10 1DY
And at all other branch libraries across the Borough during
their normal opening hours.
Any representation about or objection to the Orders may be sent
or delivered in writing to the Environmental Health Service, 3rd
floor Wesley House, Corporation Street, St Helens WA10 1HF or by
emailing environmentalhealth@sthelens.gov.uk.