Dawn and dusk dog fouling patrols

Special early morning and late evening dog fouling patrols will start on 18 March in North Norfolk, reminding dog walkers that they need to clean up after their pets — at a time of year when daylight hours make it tempting to leave an unseen mess.

Around the time the clocks change in the spring, dog fouling can become a particular problem because the dawn and dusk periods coincide with prime dog walking times. And the darkness can lead to an increase in dog fouling, because it’s more likely to go unnoticed.

But if it’s harder to see dog mess being left, it’s also harder for other people to avoid stepping in it. Dog mess can carry potentially very serious diseases, and can be especially dangerous to children.

North Norfolk District Council will be carrying out special dog fouling patrols for the next two or three weeks, including weekends, in some of the more popular dog walking spots around the District. They will be raising awareness of the regulations about dog fouling, handing out free plastic ‘poo’ bags and giving away free mini torches to help dog owners clean up. They will also be issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone they see who refuses to clean up after their dogs.

In North Norfolk, allowing a dog to foul without cleaning up afterwards is prohibited in any public area (or any private land open to the public), and punishable by either an £80 fixed penalty (£60 if paid within 10 days) or a fine of up to £1000 on conviction in the courts.

James Wilson, NNDC Environmental Protection Team Leader, said: “Most of the popular dog walking spots have special bins for disposing of dog mess, so there’s no reason why people visiting our beauty spots should have to dodge dog mess while they’re out for a walk. I know that while we’re out on patrol we’ll meet a lot of devoted dog owners who take their responsibilities very seriously, and who always clean up after their dogs.

“We won the title of the cleanest district in the country in last year’s Clean Britain Awards, and I’m sure residents would like it to stay that way. So I’d ask all dog walkers to bag their dog mess and either put it in the bins provided, or take it home for disposal. If you are out with your dog in the early morning or late evening, please make sure you still clean up. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is — it’s still your legal duty.”

Notes for editor

• For more information about the dog fouling regulations in North Norfolk, visit www.northnorfolk.org/environment.asp
• North Norfolk District Council was the overall winner in the 2008/09 Clean Britain Awards, and North Norfolk was also named the cleanest district in the country. The biennial awards will be given again in March 2011. For more information see www.cleanbritainawards.co.uk

ENDS