Gwynedd Council is working in partnership with community group Balchder Bro Ogwen and local residents, schools and businesses to combat irresponsible dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public places in the Bethesda area.
This follows concerns that a persistent minority of dog owners are failing to clean up after their pets, and comes despite Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns initiative offering free poop bags to dog owners. Numerous warning signs and dog waste bins have also been provided in recent years, together with regular patrols by enforcement wardens.
Concerns have been raised regarding owners failing to clean-up after their dogs on paths in Pant Dreiniog, an historic slate mine which has been landscaped in recent years and connects the Plas Ffrancon Leisure Centre and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen. The paths are used by children and families for access and recreation purposes.
The paths have been laid and improved here a few years ago by the Safe Routes to Schools Initiative, with Gwynedd Council and Balchder Bro Ogwen having also planted trees and flowering bulbs to help reinstate the natural appeal of the site. They have also undertaken litter-picks in a number of areas.
Local resident Chris Humphreys said: “It’s a constant concern to us as parents that children will come into contact with dog mess. Pant Dreiniog is now a wonderful natural play area for children but some dog owners just let their dogs do their business wherever they like when they must know that children play there too.”
Sioned H Thomas, Headteacher of the local primary school Ysgol Abercaseg is also concerned that owners allow their dogs to foul near the school and fail to clean it up.
She said: “We are concerned for the children’s health – it is common for the children to tread in dog mess on their way to school and to carry it into the classrooms and play areas.”
Coming into contact with dog faeces can cause ‘toxocariasis’ which can lead to serious illness and even blindness. Children are particularly vulnerable to this.
It is a criminal offence not to clear up if a dog under your control has fouled in any public area. Offenders are liable to receive a £75 fixed penalty from Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Wardens, Maritime and Country Parks Staff or Police Community Support Officers. Failure to pay the fine could lead to a court summons and a fine of up to £1,000.
Councillor Ann Williams, who represents the Ogwen ward on Gwynedd Council and who is also an active member of Balchder Bro Ogwen, added: “We have been working with Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Team in partnership with the local community to reduce dog fouling problems in the Bethesda area in recent years.
“Gwynedd Council has handed out thousands of free Tidy Towns sponsored poop bags, as well as providing bins, warning signs and enforcement patrols. However, the problem persists, and, in some areas, it appears to be getting worse.”
Gwynedd Council’s Senior Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Gareth Roberts, added: “Dog mess in public places, such as pavements and parks, causes more distress than any kind of environmental crime and as a Council we want to work in partnership with local residents who take pride in their local environment and to ensure that dogowners take responsibility and clean-up after their pets.
“To deal with this problem, the Council’s Street Enforcement Wardens, Country Parks Staff and Police Community Support Officers are targeting known problem areas at times of the day when we suspect those responsible are walking their dogs. There is no excuse for failing to clean-up after your dog – such behaviour is totally unacceptable.”
What can you do?
If you’re a dog owner make sure you always carry plenty of poop-scoop bags with you when you walk your dog. Wrapped dog mess can be put in a public bin or take it home and dispose of it responsibly. To request a free dog-poop bag dispenser, contact Gwynedd Council’s Tidy Towns Officer on 01766 771000 or e-mail [email protected]
Name and Shame
The public can also help by reporting those responsible by contacting Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Team confidentially on 01766 771000, or by visiting www.gwynedd.gov.uk/do-it-online
Gwynedd’s Tidy Towns Initiative is sponsored by the Welsh Government.
During 2010-11, Gwynedd Council’s Street Enforcement Team issued 185 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and litter offences.
