PET owners could end up in a fine mess if they don’t clear up after their pooches in public spaces.
That’s the warning from councillors and officers who organised a dog fouling awareness day in Caldicot.
Leave your pet’s poop behind, and you could be in for an on the spot £75 penalty, rising to as much as £1,000 if you don’t pay up and are taken to court.
Monmouthshire County Council joined forces with Caldicot Town Council to organise the awareness day at Caldicot Town Football Club, which saw environmental health and waste and street cleaning teams team up with councillors to speak to dog owners, hand out free dog poo bags and put up signs.
It follows the successful launch of Keep Wales Tidy’s national dog fouling campaign earlier this month.
A county council spokesperson said: "Although nine out of ten dog owners act responsibly and clean up after their pets in public areas, the one out of ten who don’t have a negative impact on green spaces and parks.
"Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported and contentious environmental issues and the focus this time was on sports pitches and areas where children play.
"These are areas where children, young people and adults can most easily come into contact with dog faeces left on the ground, and it is imperative that people pick up dog mess to prevent it becoming a public health problem."
Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: "Our focus needs to remain on this issue as reports of incidents continue, particularly in children’s playgrounds and our sports and leisure areas, putting the health of our young people at risk.
"These awareness days remind all dog owners, especially as we enter the darker winter months, of the importance of the simple message - bag it and bin it."
Local authorities and Gwent Police are empowered to issue fixed penalty notices.
If the person refuses to pay, and the case is taken to court the offender may be fined up to £1,000. Dog owners failing to pick up can be easily reported to the council at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/home/streets-parking-and-transport/recycling-and-waste/dogfouling/
Meanwhile, Monmouthshire County Council has been holding a public consultation on Public Spaces Protection Orders.
These are being introduced to update the way that dogs are controlled in public places, particularly in parks and open spaces.
The public consultation at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/public-spaces-protection-order-on-dog-controls-in-monmouthshire/ is due to conclude on Tuesday, October 26.
PET owners could end up in a fine mess if they don’t clear up after their pooches in public spaces.
That’s the warning from councillors and officers who organised a dog fouling awareness day in Caldicot.
Leave your pet’s poop behind, and you could be in for an on the spot £75 penalty, rising to as much as £1,000 if you don’t pay up and are taken to court.
Monmouthshire County Council joined forces with Caldicot Town Council to organise the awareness day at Caldicot Town Football Club, which saw environmental health and waste and street cleaning teams team up with councillors to speak to dog owners, hand out free dog poo bags and put up signs.
It follows the successful launch of Keep Wales Tidy’s national dog fouling campaign earlier this month.
A county council spokesperson said: "Although nine out of ten dog owners act responsibly and clean up after their pets in public areas, the one out of ten who don’t have a negative impact on green spaces and parks.
"Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported and contentious environmental issues and the focus this time was on sports pitches and areas where children play.
"These are areas where children, young people and adults can most easily come into contact with dog faeces left on the ground, and it is imperative that people pick up dog mess to prevent it becoming a public health problem."
Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: "Our focus needs to remain on this issue as reports of incidents continue, particularly in children’s playgrounds and our sports and leisure areas, putting the health of our young people at risk.
"These awareness days remind all dog owners, especially as we enter the darker winter months, of the importance of the simple message - bag it and bin it."
Local authorities and Gwent Police are empowered to issue fixed penalty notices.
If the person refuses to pay, and the case is taken to court the offender may be fined up to £1,000. Dog owners failing to pick up can be easily reported to the council at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/home/streets-parking-and-transport/recycling-and-waste/dogfouling/
Meanwhile, Monmouthshire County Council has been holding a public consultation on Public Spaces Protection Orders.
These are being introduced to update the way that dogs are controlled in public places, particularly in parks and open spaces.
The public consultation at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/public-spaces-protection-order-on-dog-controls-in-monmouthshire/ is due to conclude on Tuesday, October 26.