Report to the People
26th November 2007
Foul Play
As
autumn turns to winter, the dark evenings and leaf-covered pavements mean that,
if you don’t watch your step, you could well put your foot in dog mess which
some bone-idle owner couldn’t be bothered cleaning up.
This
selfish, lazy, unsightly and unhygienic behaviour despoils pavements and parks
in parts of Inverclyde – and I know from my mailbag and inbox that I am
not the only one who believes there is simply no excuse for it.
Indeed,
back in 2003, MSPs passed the Dog Fouling Act which gave the council and police
powers to hand on-the-spot fines to anyone failing to bag and bin their dog's
mess. In the years immediately
following the enactment of this legislation, I had a well-documented
disagreement with the previous Inverclyde Council over their refusal to use it.
Thankfully, however, a change of heart has seen the introduction of
Environment Wardens who are issuing the fines.
The
wardens, of course, can’t be everywhere at once, so if you see a dog owner
committing an offence, or you are sick of a particular area being plagued by dog
fouling, you can call Inverclyde Council in complete confidence on 714200.
At
this time of year, we are reminded that dogs are not just for Christmas. A
dog is not a toy and anyone who takes ownership of one also takes ownership of
all the responsibilities which come with it.
Perhaps we should remind them that these responsibilities aren’t only
owed to the dog, but to the community too.
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