No messing about over dog fouling

TOUGHER fines for ‘irresponsible’ dog owners are set to come into force – after a survey found most people support the move.

A public space protection order (PSPO) increasing fines for dog fouling on public land in parts of Wigan are now being drafted by the local authority.

Wigan council has been looking to put harsher penalties in place for the anti-social behaviour since March 2019.

A public consultation has taken place and the process is now expected to be complete in the coming weeks. Assistant director

David Lyon said the PSPOs would help the council to take a more ‘robust’ approach in dealing with irresponsible dog owners.

He said: “I think it’s fair to say there’s substantial concerns around dog fouling in the borough and it’s a very emotive subject for the residents of the borough.

“We get many complaints.” More than 600 people, some of them dog owners, took part in a survey conducted by the council about the suggested new measures.

The vast majority of people who responded supported the proposals put forward.

Around 94 per cent said dogs should be kept on leads at all times in church yards and cemeteries and 79pc said they should be not be allowed in children’s play areas and marked pitches at all.

The cabinet considered the findings of the survey at a meeting last week.

A ‘proportionate’ and ‘enforceable’ order will now be drafted by the environment department in conjunction with legal services.