Dear Sir,
I commend Phillip Halton for being a responsible dog owner, furthermore I would like to thank him for highlighting the issue of dog fouling in response to my letter on the subject of thoughtless horse riders.
During my time working for Sedgefield Borough Council as a Neighbourhood Warden in Newton Aycliffe, I issued a large number of fines for dog fouling, littering and fly tipping. All of these activities blight the area we live in.
I can assure Mr Halton that I do keep my eyes open to what’s going on and I would have no hesitation in reminding dog owners of their responsibilities in respect of dog fouling on maintained grassed areas and footpaths.
Similarly I would have no hesitation in reporting such matters to the enforcing authority, Durham County Council.
An £80 on the spot fine or a fine up to £1,000 if found guilty by a court, has the ability to focus dog owners on their responsibility to pick up and properly dispose of their dog’s poo.
Supplies of dog bags are available free of charge from Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices and from the Park Wardens in the town centre park.
Councillor Jed Hillary
