Help us sweep up dog poo offenders

Date published: 08 February 2012

Vigilant residents are being asked to take the lead in helping the council to catch dirty dog owners in the act.

More than 100 complaints of dog waste were made last year and already this year, this seems to be on the increase. Consequently the council is now asking for people’s help in bringing offenders to book.

The council targets its operations based on information it receives from members of the public.

A person who does not clean up their dog’s mess may be given a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice or, if convicted by a court, fined up to £1,000. Last year, one Bury resident who failed to clean up her dog’s poo and then didn’t pay the Fixed Penalty Notice ended up paying a total of £490 when the case was taken to court.

The greatest risk to public health from dog waste is toxocariasis, which can lead to blindness, epilepsy and asthma. The eggs of the roundworm that causes toxocariasis are found in dog waste and can survive for three years in soil. Young children are particularly susceptible to the infection.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, executive member for environment and economy, said: “Dog fouling is a serious issue that annoys residents across the borough. It’s not just an inconvenience but a health hazard.

“We already patrol identified hot spot areas, arrange clean-ups, give talks to children in schools, and issue Fixed Penalty Notices to offenders.

“The council has limited resources, however, and we do rely on information from the public to help us target our actions.

“You can greatly help our enforcement officers by passing on information that may lead to the identification of offenders. This information will be treated in the strictest of confidence, and your identity will not be disclosed.”

How you can help catch offenders: report the location usually frequented by the dog owner, the time they tend to be there, a description of the dog and its owner, and the owner’s address (if known).

To report this information, please call 0161 253 5353 or email DogWardens@bury.gov.uk  

* Dog walkers are urged to carry a plastic bag with them to clean up their pet’s mess. This bag can be placed in any public litter bin, or in the general waste bin at home.