Free council tax if you shop a dog owner who fails to scoop
POOPER snoopers who report dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets are set to be offered free council tax as a reward.
The scheme is being considered by Liverpool to rid its streets and parks of unwanted mess.
Mayor Joe Anderson said yesterday that he wants to offer the reward to anyone who provides evidence which leads to the criminal conviction of an irresponsible dog owner.
Snoopers could provide evidence to the city council of culprits failing to poop scoop in the form of photographs or video. Or they could confidentially inform the authority of the identities of repeat offenders.
Dog foulers can be fined up to £1,000, which means payments from repeat offenders would offset the cost of the council tax reward, Mr Anderson believes.
He raised the issue at a council cabinet meeting, saying he is “appalled” by the amount of dog mess left around the city.
Mr Anderson said: “In certain parts of Liverpool, you step out of your car and you are hit by the smell of it. It is totally unacceptable.
“That is why I am saying that if you provide us with the identity of someone who allows their dogs to foul the streets and doesn’t clear it up, and that leads to a prosecution, then we will give you your council tax for free.
“It will be cost neutral for us because we will be able to fine these people the maximum amount.
“We have got to try and restore some pride in our city. These people are not your neighbours, they are environmental criminals.”
He added: “My wife was walking our dog the other day and came back with dog muck all over her shoes – we have to do something about this.”
Mayor Anderson has asked for a report to be prepared in a month looking at how the new measure can be implemented.
A similar campaign against dog fouling backfired for lone Welsh campaigner Jim Holman however.
He put up a sign on his gate urging dog owners to clear up their pet’s mess and warned: “You are being watched.”
Within days, the wing mirror of his car had been damaged in what he believes was an attack on his campaign. Mr Holman from Caernarfon said: “I put up the sign because I was very annoyed at the mess left.
“I have urged the council to do something because it is a health hazard.
“I have two dogs myself and always pick up after them, but there’s a minority of people who are irresponsible.
“I think someone took exception to my notice and took it out on my car.”