Council Fails To Issue Dog Fouling Penalties

Despite over 1,200 complaints in the last seven years

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Hounslow Council has failed to issue any fixed penalty notices for dog fouling in the borough despite over 1,200 complaints.

A Freedom of Information request from a Chiswick resident has discovered that a total of 1,287 complaints were made about dog fouling in the borough between January 2005 and September 2012. The highest yearly total was 228 complaints made in 2008 and this year, the total was 65 complaints, up to September 1st.

Asked to comment, a Council spokesman said they hoped to bring dog control orders before councillors by the end of 2012.

“Due to how the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act was implemented in the borough, we have not had the legal power to issue fixed penalty notices to irresponsible dog owners.

“A pilot scheme in Brentford using dog control orders began last year, and has recently been given authority to issue fixed penalty notices to owners.

“We have plans to roll dog control orders out across the rest of the borough, which we hope to bring to councillors for approval by the end of the year.”

The statistics provided by the Council are; 2005 (165 complaints);2006 (162 complaints);2007 (192 complaints ); 2008 (228 complaints); 2009 (210 complaints): 2010 ( 158); 2011 (107); 2012 (65) to 01/09/12.

The figure for Fixed Penalty Notices issued was Zero.

There were no dog fouling campaigns over this period although some publicity and leaflet distribution occurred during April to June 2011 with the introduction of Dog Control Orders (including an anti-fouling order) made under the Clean Neighbourhoods and EnvironmentAct 2005. These orders have been introduced in just one ward (Brentford).

November 8, 2012

November 8, 2012