SBC Leader announces support for ban on dogs in public parks
Ally McGilvray • Published 14 Feb 2012 09:30
5 Comments
DOG fouling is continuing to cause a stink in the Borders.
According to councillors, it is the most common complaint of anti-social behvaiour they receive.
Last year, a 24-year-old man from Galashiels became the first in the region to be convicted in court of repeatedly failing to clean up after his pet. He was fined a total of £240.
Council chiefs revealed at the time they hoped it would act as a warning to other dog owners to be more responsible.
It followed complaints that the sports fields at Netherdale - where Scottish sports stars Chris Paterson and John Collins kicked off their careers - were among the worst areas affected.
But, despite several high profile campaigns, some irresponsible dog owners are still failing to clean up after their pets.
Now the Border Telegraph can reveal that Scottish Borders Council, which has taken the lead in the so-called war against dog fouling, has already held talks about introducing new bye-laws to ban dogs from public parks across the region.
It follows the failure of a motion by Hawick Councillor David Paterson to ask the Scottish Government for permission to raise the fines for those failing to clean up after their pets from £40 to £100.
The Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill revealed he has no plans to alter the current legislation. He claimed the council should concentrate on enforcing the current charge after it emerged the local authority had only issued 14 fines in three months - and only four had been paid.
However, while opinion remains divided over a ban, most agree more should be done to catch offenders -including more undercover patrols by dog wardens and naming and shaming those caught.
This week, we wrote to all 34 councillors in the Borders to ask them whether they would support a ban. Here is what some of them had to say…
FOR
Scottish Borders Council Leader David Parker said: "I like the idea of banning dogs from public parks in the Borders. At the moment we are actually considering such an idea and we are speaking with the police and other councils about how to implement this proposal. I would hope that later this year we will be introducing local bye-laws that will ban dogs from our public parks.
"Scottish Borders Council does advertise extensively in public places to try and educate dog owners to pick up dog poo. We also provide information to community councils and other groups and the council has a warden service who monitor areas that are popular for walking dogs and if they identify anyone allowing their dog to foul without picking it up they will speak with them or fine them."
Melrose and Leaderdale Councillor Nicholas Watson said: "We have wardens who especially look out for this, but they usually wear bright jackets so people see them coming. I have asked that when they are looking out for a particular culprit they should just wear plain clothes, like detectives. Quite often members of the public report people who they think don't pick up, so the wardens can watch out for them.
"I also think we could be firmer. Usually people are just given a warning, but more of them should be fined straight away. That might seem tough but word would soon get around and dog owners would be more careful. Banning dogs from parks is a good idea. About six months ago I asked our legal officers how we could do this, as for some legal reason it's complicated. I know another councillor who asked the same question, and I hope we will get this done, but it may take a while yet.
"Litter is also a problem, and although the police and wardens can fine people for dropping litter they never do, and I am often disappointed when many of our lovely Borders places are spoilt by litter. In fact I had a letter complaining about litter yesterday, and was planning a meeting with one of our wardens to see what might be done."
Hawick and Denholm Councillor Stuart Marshall said: "Only last week my young son was a victim of this foul mess on his way to Wilton School. I really am of the opinion that SBC are not winning the war on dog fouling and this is something I have voiced loudly on for a very long time. We, the Council, are simply not coming down hard enough on those irresponsible dog owners who continually allow their pets to dirty our streets and open spaces.
"If I am fortunate to be re-elected in May, please be assured that I will continue to press the public case for a very large increase in the level of fines we hand out as at the moment this is far too low. By raising fines, this will hopefully deter dog owners, and at the same time allow us to employ many more wardens in our areas."
AGAINST
Councillor Alec Nicol, Depute Leader of the Council, said: "I agree that all dog-owners should clean-up. However, a small minority do not and they are usually the same people who don't. The Council encourages our parks staff, the police and the community safety wardens to catch offenders red-handed and fines are levied on those who are caught. The wardens even change the times they patrol in the problem areas to attempt to spot them.
"I would not ban dogs from our public parks. There should be no problem when they are on a lead. However, many let the dogs off the lead and do not see, or care to see, what the dog is up to. Prior to this year`s election, I will campaign for heavier fines and more convictions, to encourage dog-owners to Bag it and Bin it."
Council Convener Alasdair Hutton said: "The Wardens from Scottish Borders Council try very hard to catch those people and have given out quite a number of fines to them but they find it difficult to be everywhere all the time and catch all the irresponsible people who leave dog mess lying. They have also found that more people are picking up the mess left by their dogs.
"We do ask people not to let their dogs loose on playing fields but they ignore our notices so I think it would not be possible to ban dogs from open public areas and that would also prevent responsible dog owners from exercising their dogs.
"The Council will be having a blitz on dog fouling soon but I cannot tell you when so that we do not give out any information which would alert them."
Hawick and Hermitage Councillor Ron Smith said: I'm sorry but I don't agree about banning dogs from public parks. Responsible dog owners will clean up after their pets. Bad owners won't pay any attention to the No Dogs signs. It's people who cause the problem and it's for the rest of the community to make clear that it's not on!"
Galashiels and District Councillor John Mitchell said: "As an owner of two dogs and a cat I can see both sides of the problem and I do not think banning dogs from every public park would be enforceable without employing many more community wardens, but I do keep asking questions from time to time of the relevant councillor as to how many tickets have been issued for dog fouling."
Selkirkshire Councillor Vicky Davidson said: "Unfortunately there are still some owners who let their dogs run over playing fields and I know the playing field for Philiphaugh is a particular problem. I spoke to the wardens about that area recently and extra signs were put up. I'm told that we don't have the powers to ban dogs from public parks but we can fine anyone we catch. The wardens were in Selkirk yesterday and caught two owners who failed to pick up after their dogs. Both were issued with tickets and will be fined £40 which hopefully will be sufficient deterrent."
Melrose and Leaderdale Councillor John Paton-Day said: "The Council have Wardens that regularly visit parks and towns, however they cannot be everywhere and it is a fact that dog owners need to be more responsible. I believe that the fine for not clearing dog mess is to low and should be increased. With regards to banning dogs from parks, I'm not sure if that would be right, however I do think they should not be allowed onto playing fields."
East Berwickshire Councillor Michael Cook said: "It's also the case that if you introduced a general ban, it would be extremely difficult to enforce (you'd need lots of officers) and it would be very expensive (because you'd need to pay for those officers).
"There is always more we can do. One thing I've pursued for sometime is the question of whether we can publish details of people who have been fined for not clearing up. If people saw that someone who they know had been fined for not picking up after their dog, it may make them think twice about leaving that poo that their dog has just done!"
Should dogs be banned from other public places? Or should dog walkers be restricted to certain areas? Are you a dog owner? What do you think of this ban? Where will you walk your dog?
If you know anyone who is failing to clean up after their dog, you can report it to the council by calling 0300 100 1800 and choosing Option 2. Alternatively, if you find dog dirt on the street or on a sports pitch you can phone SBLocal to clear it up on Freephone 0800 376 1030.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 14 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Jambojohnt
7 posts
Feb 14, 12:19
Report commentI fully support this move to ban dogs but with the well publicised shortages of funding, this policy would most likely not be enforceable. There may questions to be answered with regard to the numbers who are being charged under current legislation and why it's not working. I think we all no the answer. When the legislation that is currently in place can't be enforced where does the funding come from to enforce a new bye-law?
Recommend?
Yes 0
No 2
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craig
Unregistered User
Feb 14, 12:40
Report commentAs a dog owner I am outraged at this proposal as this is down to minority of owners who just do not care what their dog do! I have two dogs & always manage to lift any deposit left. There are lazy owners out there but to punish all is a disgrace. I often walk my dogs in the public park in Galashiels & its is not only dog mess that you see in the park. Where there are steel cabins at the rear of the park there is often piles of rubbish left by those who use these & never cleaned up for a long period of time. Correct me if I am wrong but dogs don't use size 8 Nike's!!!!
So, the ban, If the council are to back this then where do we walk our dogs?? Many earlderly dog owners cannot get to places like Gala hill or the policies to walk so are the council to provide designated areas where we can go & if so are the council now responsible for cleaning up this area or are the dog owners still going to be fined if a mess is left??
craig
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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Caroline
Unregistered User
Feb 14, 13:28
Report commentI see both sides.I am a responsible dog owner and I have children who are having to dodge mess on the pavements etc.It makes me mad.
Just to add though,we have travelled to much more remote parts of the country and they have clear,legal ,Proper warning signs ,dog poo bins a plenty and even bag dispensers.This town is run-down in this aspect,in comparison.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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raarae
Unregistered User
Feb 14, 17:28
Report commentim a responsible dog owner with children and i hate the amount i have to say o watch the poo o watch your feet. its beyond a joke but i dont think banning dogs from areas is a good idea as its not everyones fault i thinkk the wardens need to be out more as through the summer i saw them a reasonable amount but they walk past as people r lettin there dogs do it and do nothing and in the winter there not around so what threat is there for people ? NONE they need to be around more and actually do there job! and also needs to be alot more bins put in place as you will otice if theres a bi close by people will be more likely to pick it up but if theres not a bin for miles there not going to because they dont want to carry it about put more bins out and have strickter punishment for it its to lax at the min, and not enough bins!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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Dereks
Unregistered User
Feb 19, 13:54
Report commentJust ban the ownership of dogs - full stop. No more dog mess anywhere. Also, most people don't have big enough accommodation to house dogs properly, especially people living in new build flats. A ban on keeping dogs would stop this cruelty also.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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