Tougher fines for dog fouling

Anti-social dog owners in Rotherham who do not clean-up after their pets face tougher fines in the New Year.

On January 1, the laws covering dog fouling in Rotherham will change under a new Dog Control Order, which will see the fixed penalty fine rise from £50 to £80.

The new order, which modernises the dog fouling laws under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, is being put in place following consultation with local communities and residents across the Borough, who continue to see their communities blighted by anti-social dog owners.

The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham) Order 2009 requires people in control of a dog to immediately remove faeces deposited by the dog from all areas of land within Rotherham to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access. There are exemptions for people with registered guide dogs and trained assistance dogs.

The authority believes that the new order publicly declares that such anti-social behaviour by irresponsible dog owners will not be tolerated and that it will deter those who continue to refuse to clear up after their dog.

Cllr Jahangir Akhtar, the Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said that the aim of the change is to increase public awareness of the law.

He said: "Hopefully, this will deter those people from continuing this kind of irresponsible behaviour, which is both unsightly and puts public health at risk. These dog owners are guilty of a criminal offence and where we witness offences these will be initially tackled through Fixed Penalty Notices of £80. For those who do not pay the fixed penalty fine or who are repeat offenders then we will take further legal action through the courts."

Cllr Akhtar added that the vast majority of dog owners across Rotherham take their responsibilities very seriously and are rewarded as such. He said: "In 2009, the Council introduced a Responsible Dog Ownership scheme where those people who were seen by the Rotherham Wardens to be picking up after their dogs were entered into a monthly free prize draw with prizes donated by a range of pet shops in Rotherham. This scheme, with the on-going support of local businesses, continues to recognise their commitment to keeping Rotherham a safe and healthy place to live."