A Nottinghamshire council has introduced new rules to penalize dog owners for “breaking the rules” by not carrying bags to collect dog messes.
City councilors will now be allowed to approach and challenge landlords on whether they have the “means to collect” and can fine them £ 100 if they do not.
Those who fail to settle the fine could be taken to court and ordered to pay £ 1,000 if convicted.
The measure, introduced by the Rushcliffe Borough Council earlier this week, follows similar rules introduced by Somerset, Devon, Lancashire and Derbyshire councils.
Part of the new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) first introduced in 2014, the rules have sparked controversy, with groups arguing they could end up penalizing responsible owners.
Dr Ed Hayes, head of public affairs at The Kennel Club, said: “An important aspect of being a responsible dog owner is to clean up any mess your dog leaves and have a supply of dog waste bags. with them.
“However, while we support proactive efforts on behalf of local authorities to encourage owners to pick up their dogs, we are concerned that these measures, suggested by Rushcliffe City Council, may see owners unfairly penalized, e.g. , if they have already done so, use the necessary bags or give a spare one to someone else, as encouraged by the Green Dog Walker schemes.
“Local authorities may want to consider alternative measures, such as the introduction of a clause providing for an exemption for those who have run out of bags but may show that they had and used them during their walk. However, it is essential that any plan be communicated effectively to local residents to ensure that they have an excess of dog waste bags with them.
“Punish the masses for the actions of a few”
A Dogs Trust spokesman said: “Everyone wants to enjoy public spaces free of dog messes. However, we do not believe that punishing the masses for the actions of a few is the best approach.
“Encouraging dog owners to pick up after their dog is something Dogs Trust continues to campaign for and we welcome any initiative introduced by a local authority to discourage dog contamination.
“However, we believe that educating and promoting responsible dog ownership is much more effective than handing out fines, specifically if dog owners are confused and unaware of the PSPO.”
Make an offer to “complicate and educate” dog owners
Cllr Rob Inglis, head of the portfolio of the environment and safety cabinet at Rushcliffe City Council, said: “We are aware that the vast majority of dog owners take their responsibilities seriously and these new powers are there to deal with it. in the minority who break the rules, including those who habitually do not carry bags to clean.
“We are ready to protect residents from any of the problems posed by dog contamination and the overwhelming support of stakeholders at last year’s consultations shows that we have a strong mandate to educate more and take action.
“The emphasis will be on involving and educating dog owners and only applying fines when necessary.
“Our message to all dog owners is to always carry bags to make sure you are ready to do the right thing and always pick up your pet.”