The Continuing Problem of Dog Mess

Despite the local council putting up signs warning of the presence of enforcemnet officers and £50 fines for owners who let there dogs crap along the foot/cycle path from Ilminster to Donyatt and Chard the problem continues. Today while taking a stroll along the footpath an elderly lady with small dog in tow was seen bagging up the mess left by her dog. All good so far you might say. However, instead of taking it along to one of the bins provided for the purpose she then proceeded to hang the bag of dog doings on a tree overhanging the path, and disappeared into the new housing estate. Lovely.

Walking further along the path several more neatly tied bags of dog crap could be seen. Uuuurrrggghh!!!

Dog Fouling Problem in Ilminster

Despite the local council putting up polite notices asking dog owners to 'bag it and bin it' and warning of possible £1000 fines for dog fouling along the footpath/cyclepath (Sustrans Route 33) from Ilminster to Donyatt and Chard the problem continues! On a walk along the footpath this morning as well as the usual problem of piles of unbagged dog excrement all along the path, rather bizarrely several blue plastic bags full of the stuff could be found just dumped beside the footpath. For those that might be unaware the 'Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991' of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) places a duty on local authorities to keep public walks clear of dog faeces. In this the local authority and the dog warden they employ out of the Council Tax we all pay are clearly failing in their duty ... and as for the dog owners, well. Perhaps the newly organised neighbourhood watch, might get involved?

Comments?

Link to the Home Office crime prevention page on dog fouling.