The Dog-Fouling Problem in Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Posted by Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, at 16:51, Mon 29 October 2007:
Having lived in Hackney and Stoke Newington for more than 20 years I have noticed that the problem of dog-fouling seems to have got progressively worse over the years. Recently I have also received a number of letters from constituents on the issue, so it’s obviously not just me who has noticed the problem!
Dog-fouling is a truly disgusting form of littering the streets. It looks unattractive, it is difficult to clean off shoes, and it’s incredibly unhygienic. It’s also dangerous as it can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.
I believe there is no need for our streets to be littered with dog faeces. Dog owners must take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets – whether they are out in the street, in the park or other public places. There are various contraptions like the pooper-scooper, special bags and so on, that help dog-owners to clean-up there is no excuse for leaving the mess.
Recently Hackney Council held a Consultation on the planned introduction of a Dog Fouling Control Order which, if implemented, will see those in charge of a dog liable to a £1000 fine if they fail to remove the dog’s faeces from a public place. The Council will also give an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice. Of course the Order will not apply in the same way to disabled people who have support dogs.
I think the Order is a great idea as it shows people how seriously the problem is being taken, and will persuade people who haven’t previously done so to clean up after their dogs.
Do constituents agree or disagree with the Order? What other measures do you think would be effective to stop dog-fouling?
Comments
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Posted by brax, 17:07, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
As a dog owner I agree that it is disgusting that some owners give us all a bad name.
I agree with the order and will be interested to see who will be handing out the fines. Will it the Police, Community support officers, Park rangers or other Council officials?
mike
Posted by Mohammad Khan, 17:07, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree with this measure. A financial deterrent appears to be the only method left to keep our streets cleaner
Posted by Niall Cowley, 17:09, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Diane & other Hackney constituents
While I think a Dog Fouling order is a good idea, it is not the worst thing about Hackney's streets. I would rather see efforts like this put into crime and anti social behaviour. I can avoid stepping in dog-do, its not so easy to avoid a criminal with a gun.
Lets get our priorities straight ok?
thanks
NC
Posted by Robert Pendar-Hughes, 17:17, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree wholeheartedly with this Order - I live in Ickburgh Rd E5 where one or two thoughtless dog owners are happy to let their pet's defecate on the pavement and completely despoil our street.
Posted by Sahar, 17:26, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Diane! Thanks for looking into this. The hardest bit, if you are a private home owner, is reporting dog fouling to Hackney Council. Please pick up the phone to the council and you will see yourself being sent in circles, as nobody, though sympathetic, can help as its not in their jurisdiction. What a nightmare. If you can sort this, you have my vote!
Posted by Sharon Irvine, 17:28, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I support this 100%! Even when dogs foul in the gutter it poses a problem to those crossing the road or riding bikes. coming from a fmaily of dog-owners - and having to Do the Deed a few times myself - it isn't pleasant, but it comes with owning a dog!
Posted by Nic Knowland, 17:36, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree completly dog owners should take resposibility for there dogs poo.... And this is a great site lets have more infomation about matters that our MP is doing... Nic Knowland Finsbury Park
Posted by Norman Grunbaum, 17:50, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Yes. well done. a financial deterrent seems to be the best way
Posted by Soyeb Aswat, 18:04, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree this a good idea.
An alternative would be to ban dogs altogether...
Posted by Hugo Hutchison, 18:05, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I absolutely support this idea - and to the poster who wants to concentrate on gun crime instead, I do appreciate your point of view, but surely we can multi-task and deal with a multitude of social issues at the same time, be it gun crime or dog fouling?
Posted by Joy Himsworth, 19:19, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree wholeheartedly with this idea - I work in a Nursery school in Hackney and I am amazed at the selfishness of some dog owners who allow their animals to poo right outside the Nursery!
Posted by James Cherkoff, 19:45, Mon 29 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
It makes me quite angry when I see people letting their dogs soil the pavement without clearing it up. We all know how disgusting it is when you step in it. £1000 fine sounds like a good deterrent.
Posted by Kate Smurthwaite, 13:32, Tue 30 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Obviously I'm not in favour of streets full of dog mess but why do we always resort to fining people for infractions? If you are going to fine people up to £1000 for failing to clear up dog mess, presumably you will also be fining the council if dog litter bins and equipment are found to be out of order or unusable?
Already there are innumerable traffic wardens trolling the streets trying to hand out fines and you can be fined for failing to recycle properly, drop litter, etc Seems that this is just an extra way for the council to make money.
Posted by Arthur M. Gallagher, 19:56, Tue 30 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree with the proposed fines as a deterrent. Its already bad enough when people care so little about the places they live and work that they spread litter, but dog foul is much worse. I have several young children, and it can be hard to get them to always look where they put their feet. Not only is it unpleasant and time-consuming to clean their shoes but the health risk with toddlers is especially important.
Posted by Zaid, 20:23, Tue 30 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I disagree with the way you want to tackle the issue. I think you should create the awareness of how unhygenic it is via the media, rather than just straight fines.
Posted by Chris Burroughes, 22:47, Tue 30 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Leaving any mess in the street is unpleasant. Dog mess is specially nasty. However, in my part of Hackney there is a major problem with general dumped rubbish & not much with dog mess. The main problem is enforcement. When the Council can get its act together generally to get tough on anti-social members of the community it might be worth new legislation for specific offences. In any case it's already an offence for owners to let a dog fould a footway, isn't it? If this hasn't worked, more hollow legislation & political hot air won't.
Posted by Matt Saywell, 12:40, Wed 31 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I support this proposal but would also like to see more being done to encourage dog owners to take responsibilty for their out of control dogs in parks. It's all very well when they come running over to say how harmeless their dog is when it's running towards you against their cries of return, but if you don't actually like dogs or are scared of them it doesn't help and then owners get defensive when you ask them to take better control of their animal. In my opinion dogs aren't suited to cities at all and it is better and more humane for them to be in areas where they have room to live.
Posted by Dudley Hammond, 17:20, Wed 31 October 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Yes, I agree with the proposed order, but I wonder how it will be enforced. How will the offending dog owners be caught?
Posted by karwan raza, 23:07, Fri 16 November 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Yes, defenitely you have my support for this excellent suggestion. I think that will be brilliant if dog owners will be punished for their dog fouling. Unfortunately it is the nature of human that sometimes only punishment works. I think in this way and then you can walk unworried in the streets of Hackney.
Posted by Diane Abbott, 16:48, Thu 29 November 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thanks everyone for such encouraging and interesting responses!
As an update to my first post, I can now let you know that after the consultation process the Council are planning to enforce the Dog-Fouling Control Order. The Order will come into effect in late December this year. In answer to some of the concerns that have been raised about the Order, the Council have let me know that following adoption of the Order, one month's notice will be given to let people know about the introduction of the dog fouling nuisance controls. This period will be used to widely publicise the Order and its requirements, and in particular to promote responsible dog ownership. In addition, warning signs will be erected in "hot spot" areas. There will be posters and advertisements in local newspapers. Although there are currently no plans to increase the number of dog waste bins, people are being encouraged to double-bag waste and dispose of it in ordinary bins or at home.
The Order will be enforced by the Council's Environmental Enforcement Services team, supported by the Street Wardens and the Dog Warden. Enforcement will be through patrolling hot spot areas and responding to complaints made by residents.
I think the Order will be effective in reducing the amount of dog-fouling that goes on in Hackney and Stoke Newington. I think now it is up to residents to make sure they do not leave their dog’s waste in public places, and to report offenders to the Council.