Success in dog dirt clean up (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Success in dog dirt clean up

1:43pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Ian Noble, Reporter (Shildon and Spennymoor)

WARNING letters and fixed penalty notices have been sent to dog owners as part of a campaign to make people clear up after their pets.

The month-long Durham County Council scheme saw neighbourhood wardens investigate 412 reports of dog fouling.

Wardens handed out 26 fixed penalty notices and 19 warning letters to dog walkers between February 6, and March 6.

Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at the council, said: “The vast majority of dog owners in County Durham are responsible and do pick up after their pets.

“However, due to the actions of a minority of people dog fouling remains a major concern.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get the message across to so many people that we will respond to complaints about dog fouling.

“We’ll continue to act upon any information received and we would urge people who have details of incidents to get in touch so that we can respond.”

Wardens also handed out 460 Golden Tickets to dog owners seen to clear up after their pet. The tickets enter the pet owners into a prize draw.

The green dog walkers’ scheme, where members agree to always pick up after their pets and to carry spare bags for other owners to use, recruited 361 new members.

The council’s Civic Pride Team held events where 706 dogs were microchipped.

During the campaign the council issued 89 fixed penalty tickets for littering and a further 13 for a failure to comply with a litter clearing notice.