Hove MP calls for private firms to help tackle dog mess (From The Argus)
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Hove MP calls for private firms to help tackle dog mess
8:07am Monday 25th February 2013 in News By Neil Vowles
Private firms should be brought in by a council to cut down on littering and dog fouling, according to an MP.
Hove MP Mike Weatherley said a new approach was needed in the wake of an increase in complaints made to him about the state of his constituency’s pavements.
He said that more and more residents were complaining about the “appalling” state of streets in Hove littered with dog mess and waste.
Mr Weatherley said that using private firms to enforce on-the-spot fines would be a deterrent, would raise much needed revenue and had been brought in by other councils.
In a letter to Penny Thompson, chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, Mr Weatherley, wrote: “I appreciate that catching owners in the act is difficult, yet a new approach is clearly required.
“Similarly, when it comes to littering, I know that a number of local authorities have contracted private firms to enforce an on-the-spot fine policy. This is an obvious deterrent and excellent way of raising revenue. Only those who offend will face a fine.”
However, Labour councillor for North Portslade Bob Carden said he did not want to see private companies enforcing dog fouling and litter by-laws.
He said: “If you have private companies they will have to make it pay and they will be waiting behind lampposts and trees waiting for any dog owner.”
Cllr Carden conceded that there was a problem with litter and dog fouling but said that educating owners or even using PCSOs to issue fines would be more appropriate.
Green Councillor Ollie Sykes, deputy chair of the council’s environment and sustainability committee, said: “Complaints of dog fouling are taken by the animal welfare team and they work hard to investigate and tackle the problem. Our street cleaners work incredibly hard to maintain the appearance of the city and are out seven days a week.”
Cllr Sykes added that the council had recently won two awards and in a recent survey nearly three quarters of residents agreed that the council was good at keeping their street clean.
Talking point: What should be done to tackle issues of littering and dog mess around Brighton and Hove? Share your views by commenting below or write in to the Argus letters pagesl letters@theargus.co.uk.
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Comments(26)
whereisthe...?
says...
8:44am Mon 25 Feb 13
monkeymoo
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8:48am Mon 25 Feb 13
SmileyD
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9:08am Mon 25 Feb 13
Morpheus
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9:12am Mon 25 Feb 13
qm
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9:21am Mon 25 Feb 13
Hoarder12345444
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9:25am Mon 25 Feb 13
Eugenius
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9:30am Mon 25 Feb 13
Plantpot
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9:40am Mon 25 Feb 13
Eugenius wrote:You are looking in the wrong place. People I know who don't live in Brighton but come to visit comment on the state of the pavements. Dog mess is disgusting. There's no reason not to go out with plastic bags and clear up afterwards.
This reeks of a phoney campaign by odious Weatherley. I haven't noticed a problem, streets seem pretty clean to me. Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong places? Perhaps Mike could assemble some evidence eg a photo gallery of dog mess examples, it would give him something to do.
Juleyanne
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9:42am Mon 25 Feb 13
I believe that the answer is a reinstatement of the dog licence, reduced for poorer pensioners and vulnerable groups. This along with rolling out microchipping for 'all dogs, not just puppies' would generate funding which would be used to employ more council dog wardens to do spot checks on dog walking areas and streets. The majority of responsible dog owners are less likely to object to a less 'profit driven potentially unfair system. I also feel that more emphasis should also be directed towards recreation areas where frequently after football matches piles of discarded plastic and glass bottles and sandwhich wrappers are simply left. Absolutely, irresponsible dog owners should be made to clean up their act, but equally litter left by users of recreation facilities particularly after sport should be addressed.
qm
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9:56am Mon 25 Feb 13
Juleyanne wrote:Totally agree with you Juleyanne!
Whilst I am against littering and dog fouling. I am not in favour of bringing in private companies as I believe it will quickly turn into a similar set up as occurred with private bullyboy clamping and parking firms! The creepy prospect of 'quick buck' private enterprises virtually stalking lone female dog owners and hiding behind bushes and lamposts in the shadows ready to pounce is fraught with potential disaster and miscarriages of justice based on pure profit rather than what it should be about 'moral justice'.
I believe that the answer is a reinstatement of the dog licence, reduced for poorer pensioners and vulnerable groups. This along with rolling out microchipping for 'all dogs, not just puppies' would generate funding which would be used to employ more council dog wardens to do spot checks on dog walking areas and streets. The majority of responsible dog owners are less likely to object to a less 'profit driven potentially unfair system. I also feel that more emphasis should also be directed towards recreation areas where frequently after football matches piles of discarded plastic and glass bottles and sandwhich wrappers are simply left. Absolutely, irresponsible dog owners should be made to clean up their act, but equally litter left by users of recreation facilities particularly after sport should be addressed.
lordenglandofsussex
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9:58am Mon 25 Feb 13
Juleyanne wrote:It could be taken further with DNA samples taken with every dog microchipped. Any dog mess could then be matched with the registered owner.
Whilst I am against littering and dog fouling. I am not in favour of bringing in private companies as I believe it will quickly turn into a similar set up as occurred with private bullyboy clamping and parking firms! The creepy prospect of 'quick buck' private enterprises virtually stalking lone female dog owners and hiding behind bushes and lamposts in the shadows ready to pounce is fraught with potential disaster and miscarriages of justice based on pure profit rather than what it should be about 'moral justice'.
I believe that the answer is a reinstatement of the dog licence, reduced for poorer pensioners and vulnerable groups. This along with rolling out microchipping for 'all dogs, not just puppies' would generate funding which would be used to employ more council dog wardens to do spot checks on dog walking areas and streets. The majority of responsible dog owners are less likely to object to a less 'profit driven potentially unfair system. I also feel that more emphasis should also be directed towards recreation areas where frequently after football matches piles of discarded plastic and glass bottles and sandwhich wrappers are simply left. Absolutely, irresponsible dog owners should be made to clean up their act, but equally litter left by users of recreation facilities particularly after sport should be addressed.
Of course there is also the problem with cats!
Crystal Ball
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10:24am Mon 25 Feb 13
anubis
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10:29am Mon 25 Feb 13
In several European countries and parts of the USA (probably more -- I haven't done a proper search) dogs are routinely DNA tested when registered. Any excreta left on public walkways is tested and the fine is 'in the post'. The DNA testing is now relatively cheap -- but who cares; it's cost is passed on to the owner by the court. Minimum work entailed -- all costs recoverable.
Local authority? I made several complaints to B & H Council about a year ago -- by telephone (no reply, so message on answer-machine -- and email. No response from either!)
Dog mess is not only unsightly, it's very dangerous -- children playing near it in a parkland can be blinded by the contamination. It's NOT a joking matter .....
aat99
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10:37am Mon 25 Feb 13
I have a dog and haven't a problem cleaning up after my own dog but not someone elses .....
Old Ale Man
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11:44am Mon 25 Feb 13
Also wouldn't need private firms if the animal welfare people became dog wardens again. olly sykes was only half right street cleaners are very good at clearing up particularly after the binmen.
Chaffinch1
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11:45am Mon 25 Feb 13
Couldn't the council have a mobile CCTV facility that could be installed in problem areas to find out who the culprit is? Catch the person responsible, make them clear up their mess, slap a big fine on them and then move on to the next problem spot.
Surely this would be preferable to bringing in private poo inspectors...? The same method could be used to catch the little sods who spray ugly graffiti everywhere too... and the individual who regularly uses the alley at the top of my street as a public convenience (and I'm talking #2s!
jsuk2000
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12:00pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Wiggsy
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12:32pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Eugenius wrote:You are definitely looking in the wrong places - walking to Brighton station via Nizells Avenue/Clifton Hill is like trying to compete in the "Total Wipeout" course to avoid it all.
This reeks of a phoney campaign by odious Weatherley. I haven't noticed a problem, streets seem pretty clean to me. Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong places? Perhaps Mike could assemble some evidence eg a photo gallery of dog mess examples, it would give him something to do.
Wiggsy
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12:36pm Mon 25 Feb 13
"Cllr Carden conceded that there was a problem with litter and dog fouling but said that educating owners or even using PCSOs to issue fines would be more appropriate. "................bec
ause this approach has worked so well so far.
What methods have other Councils taken to eradicate the problem - surely there must be a successful model that we can adopt in B&H?
Sheila White
says...
12:53pm Mon 25 Feb 13
program.com . Contact us. Subscribe. Become informed. Investigate. Latest research from Imperial College London offers hard evidence that environmental education changes behaviours and attitudes, no matter what age. People create litter. People can solve it.
mimseycal
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1:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Hoarder12345444
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1:50pm Mon 25 Feb 13
jsuk2000 wrote:This is true. But in this case I fail to see how this work will be publicly funded. It needs sorting out. You can't just have irresponsible dog owners laying their muck everywhere on the pavements. People who are do it are very selfish people.
Typical Tory, privatise anything so your rich mates benefit!
fredflintstone1
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2:19pm Mon 25 Feb 13
anubis wrote:I'd spend a little more time worrying about the urban foxes which are so numerous in the city, and transmit the same parasite.
After a dozen absurdities, Lordengland provides some common sense.
In several European countries and parts of the USA (probably more -- I haven't done a proper search) dogs are routinely DNA tested when registered. Any excreta left on public walkways is tested and the fine is 'in the post'. The DNA testing is now relatively cheap -- but who cares; it's cost is passed on to the owner by the court. Minimum work entailed -- all costs recoverable.
Local authority? I made several complaints to B & H Council about a year ago -- by telephone (no reply, so message on answer-machine -- and email. No response from either!)
Dog mess is not only unsightly, it's very dangerous -- children playing near it in a parkland can be blinded by the contamination. It's NOT a joking matter .....
Most dogs pose no danger as they are dewormed. Foxes aren't......
fredflintstone1
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2:43pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Wiggsy wrote:Yes, there is .... Stop fencing off public parkland right across the city and turning these traditional public spaces into sheep farms. This prevents owners - both responsible and the irresponsible - from being able to exercise their pets in these open areas, forcing them on to the streets. Concentrate the educational message there.
"He said: “If you have private companies they will have to make it pay and they will be waiting behind lampposts and trees waiting for any dog owner.” " ...........If this was going to resolve the problem then so be it.
"Cllr Carden conceded that there was a problem with litter and dog fouling but said that educating owners or even using PCSOs to issue fines would be more appropriate. "................bec
ause this approach has worked so well so far.
What methods have other Councils taken to eradicate the problem - surely there must be a successful model that we can adopt in B&H?
ourcoalition
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7:33pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Oh no! They are running the country - it's the Tory Party.
chrismilo says...
8:20am Mon 25 Feb 13