Officers from Sutton’s Safer Parks police teams were out and about in the borough on Tuesday (14th February) to issue £50 on-the-spot, fixed penalty fines to dog owners who fail to pick up after their pets.
The officers in plain clothes were in Carshalton Park and Grove Park, Carshalton. The previous week officers were patrolling the long alleyway by St. Philomena’s School, between Shorts Road and West Street, Carshalton.
The police action follows concerns raised by members of the public and indeed your Lib Dem FOCUS team councillors about dog fouling.
Safer Parks Sgt Gavin Weldon said: “Over the last few months we have worked with dog walkers to make sure they are aware that members of the public expect them to pick up after their pets.
“Most dog owners do clear up but there is a small minority of dog owners who refuse to do so – and we want this operation to send out a strong message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.”
During the operation on Tuesday (14th February), all the dog owners picked up after their pets.
Tackling dog fouling has become a policing priority in a number wards across the borough – priorities which are set at Ward Panel Meetings, which are made up of representatives of local communities.
Cllr Colin Hall, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change on Sutton Council, said: “Dog fouling is unhygienic, anti-social and can be a serious health threat. There’s no excuse for leaving dog mess littering public areas. Most owners are responsible and pick up after their pets, but there’s a small minority who still let their animals use our parks and pavements as a sewer. These patrols serve as a reminder that dog owners have a duty to clean up after their pets.”
Encouraging responsible dog ownership
Police in Sutton have launched a multi-agency partnership initiative to encourage responsible dog ownership of all breeds of dog called Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs (LEAD). Key partners include Sutton Council, Sutton Housing Partnership, Registered Social Landlords, the Riverside Animal Centre and the RSPCA. The LEAD initiative was prompted by the fatal dog attack in Demesne Road, Wallington, on 23 December 2010, when a 52-year-old woman died after being attacked by a dog.
Seeking support from residents
Police are urging members of the public to report any dog related issues in their neighbourhood: for example, where dogs are being bred, about any welfare or mistreatment issues and about dangerous dogs and illegal breeds. Safer Neighbourhoods officers will then make contact with owners to offer support or advice to help them look after their dog with information from organisations like the RSPCA, Kennel Club and Battersea Dogs Home. The aim is to make owners aware of their responsibilities to their pet and the wider community. Police are working closely with Registered Social Landlords who have signed up to share information with police about dog related anti-social behaviour.
Taking action
Whilst encouraging responsible dog ownership, dog owners are advised that continued anti-social behaviour by them and their pet could lead to them being invited to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract. This may require owners to undergo dog training and their dog having to be walked on a lead and muzzled in public places. It is also likely to mean that their dog will be monitored by the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team. For tenants any dog anti-social behaviour issues may have implications for their tenancy.