This is unfair on our children and other residents and unfair on those responsible dog walkers who are inevitably tarred with the same brush. In response to these issues, Durham County Council is now launching a month long campaign promoting the benefits of responsible dog ownership. I have reproduced below the press announcement issued by the council:
Responsible dog ownership campaign
Residents in County Durham are being encouraged to get
behind a month-long campaign aimed at encouraging responsible dog ownership.
Durham County Council is launching the campaign which will
focus on 15 target areas where dog fouling has been reported as a particular
problem.
In each of the areas, the council will be carrying out a mix
of education and enforcement activities to remind people about being a
responsible pet owner.
There will be new temporary signs in target areas to
highlight awareness of the problem, events offering free dog microchipping, education
sessions in schools, promotion of the green dog walkers’ scheme and a golden
ticket competition to reward responsible behaviour.
Neighbourhood wardens and police community support officers will carry out increased patrols and will issue fixed penalty notices to those who fail to pick up after their dog.
The green dog walkers’ scheme, promoted by Durham County Council, aims to change attitudes to dog-fouling in a friendly, non confrontational way. Volunteers will be asked to wear a green dog walkers’ badge and carry waste bags, which can be given out to dog walkers who have forgotten to carry one.
The badge signifies that a walker has taken the pledge to clean up after their pet, while acting as a reminder for others to do the same.
Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “We know that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and that it is a minority of people who don’t clean up after their pet.
“We are determined to tackle the problem of dog mess and take residents’ concerns over the associated health risks and environmental impact very seriously.
“We would urge residents to report dog fouling to us, providing details such as the time, date and location of the incident as well as a description of the dog and owner if possible.
“This information can help neighbourhood wardens take action
against those responsible.”
Residents should call 03000 26 1000 or go to www.durham.gov.uk/dogfouling All reports will be treated in confidence.
The
campaign runs from Wednesday 6 February to Wednesday 6 March and if you would
like to find out more information please go to www.durham.gov.uk/dogfouling
The dog microchipping sessions will be
taking place at the following locations and dates:
6
February: 10.00am – 2.00pm Shield Row Community Rooms, Shield Row, Stanley
9
February: 10.00am – 2.00pm Tesco car park, Delves Lane, Consett
9
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Middridge Lane,
Shildon
9
February 11.00am – 2.30pm Prince Bishops Vets, 1 Plantation Street, Crook
12
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Waldridge Parish Rooms, Chester-le-Street
13
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Wood View Community Centre, Langley Park
14
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Peterlee Leisure Centre, Peterlee
15
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High Street, Spennymoor
16
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Pets at Home, Auckland Crescent, Bishop Auckland
19
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Belmont Community Centre, Belmont, Durham
20
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Teesdale Leisure Centre, Strathmore Road, Barnard
Castle
20
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Annfield Plain Park, Stanley
22
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Glebe Centre, Murton
26
February 10.00am – 2.00pm Blackhall Community Centre, Blackhall
27
February 10am – 2.00pm Eastlea Community Centre, Seaham
