Councillor issues reminder to dog owners

There's "no such thing as a dog poo fairy"

Mid Devon residents are being reminded there is “no such thing as a dog poo fairy,” following reports that the district’s canine control rules are being breached.

The comment by Mid Devon’s councillor in charge of the environment, Colin Slade (Conservative, Lowman), comes after the council revealed its street scene team has recently issued three fixed penalty notices for dog-related incidents.

Two were handed out in Willand for dogs being off leads in a designated ‘dog on lead area’ at Jubilee Fields, while another was issued at Uplowman Road in Tiverton for dog fouling.

The offending owners have been ordered to pay fines of £100.

In a statement, Cllr Slade said: “Unfortunately dog fouling is a widespread problem – whether loose or bagged – it is offensive, disgusting and a potential health hazard. It is important for us to ensure dogs are kept under control within public spaces to keep our communities safe.

“Our street scene team use the public space protection order (PSPO) to ensure that dogs are kept under proper control in public spaces, as well as to tackle dog fouling in Mid Devon. There’s no such thing as a dog poo fairy so please be responsible and clean up after your dog.”

Last October the district council introduced a new three-year dog control PSPO to ensure they are kept under proper control in public spaces, as well as to tackle dog fouling in the area.

The policy includes dogs being banned from dozens of the district’s enclosed play parks and being kept on a lead in a number of parks and cemeteries. In addition, people cannot walk more than six dogs at once and poo must be picked up.

Those who fall foul of the rules could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 (reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days), or face court action which may result in a conviction and a fine of up to £1,000.