£1k fine for dog walkers in Hyndburn who don't scoop the poop

Hyndburn Borough Council has asked the Government for permission to impose the hefty fines to those who fail to clean up after their pets.

If successful, the area would have the highest on-the-spot fines in the country.

It currently hands out £75 penalties in line with neighbouring authorities, whose fines range from £50 to £75.

The council has historically taken a tough stance on the issue, employing one of the first dog wardens, becoming the first to ban dogs not on leads in cemeteries and piloting a special street sweeper nicknamed the ‘Super Dooper Pooper Scooper’.

Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “If a fine is too low, people shrug it off and take the risk.

“Dog mess is anti-social and dangerous for young children if they come into contact with it.

“We have an extremely pro-active dog warden and local people report incidents to us, but we need the people who let their dogs foul know that we take this seriously.

“It is a real problem and one which residents contact us about year in, year out.

“The majority of dog owners are responsible. It is just the minority who need to be tackled.”

In the past three years, the council has fined 50 people for failing to clear up after their pet.

Rishton councillor Ken Moss, who asked the council to lobby the government to increase its powers regarding on-the-spot fines, said people regularly complained to him about the problem.

He said: “We have plenty of dog bins and free bags are available, so there is never any excuse.

"We all know it’s the irresponsible few who make life difficult for everyone, so any measure to make them think twice is a good thing.”

The biggest threat to health from dog mess is toxocariasis, an infection of the roundworm toxocaracanis.

The eggs of the parasite can be found in contaminated soil or sand and if swallowed or contact is made with the eyes, can result in infection.

Doctor Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, said: “The infection can make people go blind permanently, it can cause inflammation of the brain and it can also cause a chronic infection in which people have fits because of damage to the brain.

“It’s a very nasty infection and very difficult to cure.

"It’s very rare and I’ve only had in my 40 plus years four cases in my practice, but each one was in children who were severely ill.

“That’s why we don’t want dog dirt around us. You can also get lots of other bacterial infections.”

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe agreed that people who failed to clean-up after their dogs were ‘a menace’ but said he was concerned at the level of the fine.

He said: “Dog foulers are a menace to society. They leave mess on the streets that can blind children.

"However, I think this £1000 fine is unrealistic and there will be a lot of non-payments.

"I would rather see stricter enforcement of the laws we already have.”

Former Hyndburn dog warden and founder of Hyndburn Stray Dogs in Need Steve Wood said: “In eleven years of enforcing this, it was the one part of my job that was completely frustrating.

"No matter if you tried to educate or lecture people or put up signs, it didn’t go away.

"I understand where Hyndburn Council is coming from because it is most peoples’ top complaint and they want it sorted out.

“However, I think dog fouling will always be a problem no matter what is done, particularly when walkers take their dogs out in the dark.

"I even resorted to night-vision goggles to catch them at one point.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “I hope ministers listen to the council.

"It will give them the flexibility to deal with this very large problem.

"It will also allow them to plan ahead a few years when £75 won’t be worth as much as it is today.

“Dog fouling is a dangerous, disgusting problem. I applaud the council for being proactive about it.”

Dog walkers' reaction

Dog walkers yesterday said they were in support of tougher fines.

Hugh Davies, of Accrington, said: “I think this is a benchmark figure designed to make people clean up after their dog.

“I think it is a good idea to try and stop dog fouling particularly in areas where children play.”

Ian Hayworth, 50, of Peel Park, Accrington, said: “The principle is good, but how are they going to enforce it with only one dog warden in the borough.

“I am a responsible dog owner who always carries bags, but there are many people who don’t. It is a big amount.”

Yvonne Eland, 54, of Accrington, said: “Dog fouling is one of the most disgusting things to come across. It is not just the parks, the streets are covered in it.

“It is a good idea to increase the amount, but the type of people who let their dogs foul are the type of people who don’t listen to the law.”