A FINE MESS?
Council under fire after it has made only five prosecutions in year over dog fouling
Sunderland’s Conservative party has called for a “tougher approach” towards dog fouling after figures revealed only five fines were given out in the last year.
Between June 2017 and June 2018, Sunderland City Council (SCC) served five fixed penalty notices and 81 warning letters for dog fouling offences.
Now, SCC’s Conservative group has called for more fines to be given out, citing the environmental impact of dog fouling on Sunderland residents.
Group leader Coun Robert Oliver said: “Residents consistently say that the cleanliness of the city is their top concern and many complain about the irresponsible minority who do not clean up after their dogs.
“As well as spoiling the environment around people’s homes, dog fouling is a health risk which can potentially cause blindness – so children playing in the streets could be at risk.”
A person breaching a dog control order – which includes dog fouling – could face a fixed penalty of £80, which is reduced to £50 if paid within ten days.
If the case is taken to court, offenders could face a maximum fine of £1,000 upon conviction.
Coun Oliver added: “In the last council year only five fines have been handed out for dog fouling and 81 people have got off with a warning, who could be fined if a tougher approach is taken.
“The council has spent £1.5million on more enforcement officers – and with a rise in the number of fines for littering – it is now time to give out more fines for dog fouling too.”
In SCC’s latest budget, an extra £1.5million was announced to support frontline environmental services such as cleaning, recycling collections and boosted enforcement powers to prosecute fly-tippers.
Cabinet member for environment and transport, Coun Amy Wilson, added SCC was tackling the issue with a mixture of education, awarenessandenforcement.
“This (£1.5million) investment was opposed by local Conservatives who voted against it in the budget meeting earlier this year,” she said.
“Plus, it is an investment that is being made despite the Government’s austerity programme that continues to squeeze all council budgets.
“Council staff speak with dog walkers to discuss issues, to educate them or take action against the irresponsible and anti-social owners who ignore their community responsibility to clean up after their pets.”
She added that, though 400 warning letters have been sent, the council is now stepping up its enforcement.
“Dog fouling is is a health risk” COUN ROBERT OLIVER