Cameras keeping an eye on dog fouling
CCTV is being used to stop dog owners from leaving their pet’s poo behind in Argyll and Bute.
Nearly 350 offences were recorded between April 2019 and March 2021 but dog warden posts have been slashed by more than 50 per cent under the Argyll and Bute Council’s budget for this year.
A senior council officer says there are limited other options available to ensure dog owners clear up after their pets.
The information came to light in a report for the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee at its virtual meeting yesterday, Thursday June 3.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: ‘Officers have successfully deployed CCTV at known locations where dog fouling is an issue. This acts as a deterrent and encourages dog owners to pick up their dog mess and behave responsibly. Argyll and Bute Council environmental wardens currently enforce legislation that allows officers to issue £80 fixed charge notices to people who fail to lift their dog’s mess as long as they are observed doing so.
‘The penalty was increased from £40 to £80 in April 2016 by the Scottish Government.
‘Enforcement activity is carried out by wardens who are also involved in commercial waste, fly tipping, parking, control of dog notices, litter enforcement and education and pest control.
‘Our wardens’ presence in dog-walking areas usually results in owners picking up after their dogs and few penalty notices being issued and is therefore a highly effective deterrent.’
Ms Flanagan added that ‘limited information’ was received from the public regarding offending and where it was a written witness statement was needed. ‘Unfortunately few individuals are prepared to provide written evidence which would be required for the council to progress any dog fouling matter through the courts,’ she said. Ms Flanagan added that a 2017 proposal to ‘name and shame’ irresponsible owners was a non-starter due to legal advice.