A MALVERN woman has become the latest to be fined for breaching an order designed to crackdown on irresponsible dog owners.
The woman was witnessed cleaning up after the pooch but then throwing the bag of poo under a car rather than disposing of it properly.
The incident happened in Poolbrook on June 16.
She has since been issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice for breaching the Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control, introduced by Malvern Hills District Council last year.
As well as increasing the fine for failing to clean up after a dog, the order also created a new offence requiring dog owners to carry a poo bag or other means to clean up after their pet.
It also became an offence to fail to keep a dog on a lead in a designated area and failing to keep a dog out of fenced off or enclosed children’s playgrounds.
Since the order was introduced just over a year ago, five people have been issued FPNs for breaches, none of which have been for failing to carry a dog poo bag.
However, the council’s community and environmental protection officers have spoken to more than 200 people, all of which were able to prove they had the means to clean up after their pet.
Coun Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for environment on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We introduced the order because we wanted to send a clear message that we will not tolerate dog fouling or other dog control offences in our district.
“We don’t want to be issuing fines to lots of people, we just want dog owners to take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets but at the same time we will take action as this case demonstrates.
“I’d also like to remind dog owners that they can dispose of their used poo bags in any litter bin, it does not have to be a dedicated dog poo bin.
“We’ve enjoyed strong support from the public following the introduction of the PSPO and I’d like to thank them for their co-operation.”
More than 250 people have also signed up to the council’s Green Dog Walkers scheme which is a non-confrontational, friendly way of helping to change attitudes towards dog fouling.
Those who sign up pledge to always clean up after their dog, carry extra dog poo bags, be happy to lend bags to those who need them and offer friendly reminders to others to clean up after their dog.
In return they receive a badge, free poo bags and an information pack.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/green-dog-walkers for more.
