£75 fine if you don’t pick up dog’s mess (From Echo)

£75 fine if you don’t pick up dog’s mess

7:00am Monday 14th September 2009 in

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DOG owners refusing to pick up their pet’s mess in the Basildon district could soon be fined £75.

Basildon Council is set to introduce fixed penalty notices to anyone refusing to pick up their dogs’ mess in parks and pavements throughout the district.

Powers under the Dog Fouling of Land Act are set to be brought into force by the middle of next month.

Signs are currently being put up to warn dog owners of the new fines, which will be given if owners are caught by the council’s community and park wardens.

Michael Mowe, councillor for the Wickford North area, said dog mess was a big problem caused by only a few lazy owners who don’t pick up.

Mr Mowe, who regularly walks his 11-month-old dog Oscar, said: “We have dog bins, but some people don’t seem to be using them.

“Young children use the parks and can easily fall over, so they could be covered in dog poo.”

Anyone fined will be given seven days to pay a reduced bill of £50, or will face the full amount.

The council said it is holding talks that could see police community support officers also dishing out the fines.

Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for the environment, said he hoped the threat of a fine would stop the few people causing the problem.