This was going to appear in the Charnock Richard Chronicle but I missed the deadline, so I will post it here and add it to the Christmas Chronicle. Whilst it is aimed at Charnock Richard the message (no pun intended) is the same everywhere.
Of all the things that people contact me about, the one that constantly concerns people more than anything else and yet could be so easily solved, is that of Dog Fouling.
The Problem
Dog fouling is a major issue throughout the country and Charnock Richard is no exception, indeed some that I have talked with has said they cannot believe how bad it is and that it is considerably worse than anywhere else they have ever lived.
Dog fouling is the most offensive type of litter on our streets and as people tend to walk their dogs around their locality, those not cleaning up are essentially pooing in their own back yard. The major problem areas, in Charnock Richard, seem to be the area within the Charter Lane, Church Lane (especially close to the school), Chorley Lane triangle, which is where people live.
Most dog owners are responsible and clean up after their pet. However there are a minority who do not. Our own dog will do her business in our garden then somehow minutes later, whilst taking her for a walk, will do the same at the roadside (which I clean up and place in a bin, any bin will do).
Why is Dog Fouling a Problem?
Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but it can also be dangerous with the biggest threat to public health being from toxocariasis.
Whilst the effects of contracting toxocariasis can be devastating, most people’s knowledge of toxocariasis is limited to hearsay and hysterical media reports. However some of the facts are:
· The eggs of the Toxocara worm take over two weeks to hatch and become active, meaning there are no health risks to you from immediately clearing up after your dog.
· The majority of pet dogs with the Toxocara worm are pups between two weeks and six months of age or pregnant bitches.
· Foxes and cats also act as hosts to the Toxocara worm.
· The incidence of all Toxocara-induced diseases in the UK is only two cases per million of the population. However, this still means that about 40 people are needlessly ill each year. Generally these people are children between 18 months and 5 years old.
· The eggs of the Toxocara worm, if deposited in soil, can lie dormant for up to three years, if the conditions are right. They are highly resilient to temperature changes and chemical disinfectants have little effect on them.
Whose responsibility is it to clear away dog fouling?
It is the responsibility of the dog owner, or the person in charge of the dog, to clear up any dog foul left by their dog. If you fail to clean up after your dog you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £75, or if the case goes to court a fine of up to £1,000 a criminal record and court costs.
Being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the poo is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.
Responsible Dog Owners
The majority of owners are responsible. It is easy for all dog walkers to be responsible and clear up any dog fouling:
· Be prepared and take enough bags with you
· Clean up after the dog
· Put the waste in a bin, it doesn’t have to be dog bin an ordinary litter bin will do, or take it home with you
· Don’t go to the effort to bag it then throw it in the hedgerow!
What we can do about dog fouling?
The Neighbourhood Officers and Local Beat Officers will issue fixed penalty notices to anyone not clearing up after their dog.
If you see someone who lets their dog foul and doesn't clear it up report it to Chorley Council on 01257 515151 or www.chorley.gov.uk/dogfouling.
A Simple Message
There is a “Don’t be a Dirty Dog” campaign throughout Chorley and a national Keep Britain Tidy “Dog Poo Fairy Campaign” both aimed at educating dog walkers and reducing the amount of muck left on our streets, the overall message is simple:
Bag It and Bin It.
If all dog owners did this then Charnock Richard would be an even better place to live.
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