PR
3320
North Lincolnshire Council is inviting
comments from local residents on the introduction of Dog Control Orders.
Towards the end of 2006 the council
targeted local people to get their views on the possible introduction of new
Dog Control Orders in North Lincolnshire. Over 1,350 people responded to the
survey and the findings showed wide support for these types of orders to be
introduced.
Dog Control Orders help ensure
responsible dog ownership and take into consideration those who don’t have dogs.
Any new powers will require irresponsible dog owners to keep their pets under
control and clear up after them. Owners will face on the spot fixed penalty
fines or prosecution for ignoring any new powers adopted.
The council wants to introduce
and enforce Dog Control Orders in North Lincolnshire. But first it’s inviting
comments from local people on the orders the council wishes to adopt. Since
the consultation ended, the council has been busy drawing up plans and proposals
for the introduction of Dog Control Orders. These plans show the proposed areas
where orders will be introduced and also go into detail about the order.
These proposed orders the council
wishes to adopt will:
- Make it an offence for a dog owner to fail to clean up dog mess
- Ban dogs from certain areas – such as from schools and children’s play areas.
- Stop people from taking more than four dogs on to land – this includes all
roads, verges, public open space, footpaths, public rights of way, parks as
well as land indicated on the plans.
Copies of all the proposed Dog
Control Orders can be seen at all of the council’s Local Link offices. People
can also see copies of all the orders on the council’s website, www.northlincs.gov.uk/dco.
Local people can submit comments to Keith Ford, Service Director of Neighbourhood
and Environmental Services, North Lincolnshire Council, Cottage Beck Road, Scunthorpe,
DN16 1TS. Alternatively people can email customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk
with their comments.
If these orders are introduced
the council will have greater powers to deal with the minority of irresponsible
dog owners.
Cllr Len Foster, Cabinet Member
for Neighbourhood and Environment, said:
"These new powers will send a clear message to the minority of irresponsible
dog owners. The council wants to be able to enforce these new proposed orders
and when officers see breeches we will issue £80 on the spot fines to careless
owners.
"These orders are not being brought in for the sake of it – they’re being
brought in to clamp down on people who see nothing wrong with leaving dog
mess on the floor or allowing their dogs to enter children’s play areas or
school fields. The majority of people act responsibly when it comes to their
pets. Sadly there’s a minority of people who give a bad name to responsible
owners. And with the introduction of these orders we hope to tackle these
people head on."
For further information please contact: Stacey Dickens on 01724 296364.
Email stacey.dickens@northlincs.gov.uk.