CCTV cameras used in fight against fouling

Owners caught failing to clean up after their pets face £80 fine

CCTV cameras will be used in the fight to rid Fife’s streets of dog mess.

Owners caught on camera failing to pick up after their pets will be fined £80.

The campaign was pledged by Police Scotland and Fife Council as it emerged only 29 fixed penalty notices were issued for the offence across the region last year.

Simultaneously, the public was urged to play its part and report those suspected of dog fouling.

More than 1,000 complaints were received but this was regarded as scant reflection of the scale of the problem.

Fife has 34 enforcement officers with the power to hand out fines but they must witness the act before they can issue notices.

The use of CCTV was approved by the council’s safer communities committee following a report from team manager Dawn Jamieson, who told how officers were hampered by the legislative requirement for them to witness offences.

She said: “While we are not looking to provide excuses as to why these numbers may be low, we feel it is important to highlight the legislation relating to the issuing of fixed penalty notices.

“Dog fouling is an observable offence so we have to witness the offence taking place.”

Urging members of the public to tell them when and where suspected offenders walk their dogs, she said: “We need details of where the offences are happening.

“We rely on members of the public providing us with this information.

“Dog walkers tend to be creatures of habit, they will walk their dogs in the same place at the same time of day.

“It’s about us being in the right time at the right place and trying to gather evidence.”

Superintendent Derek McEwan, of Police Scotland’s Fife Division, said he would be “fully supportive” of a campaign involving fixed cameras.

He confirmed footage would be used as evidence to issue notices.

East Neuk councillor Elizabeth Riches said: “These figures bear no relation to the problem. I don’t think any councillor can attend a community council meeting without dog fouling coming up, especially at this time of year when it is dark.”

Complaints can be made by emailing environmental.enforcement@fife.gov. uk or phoning 03451 550022.

The public are being urged to provide information on dog fouling.