Forum Topic

"Hounslow Council Plan Tough Penalties For Dog Fouling And Litter",

Looking at the lead story on ChiswickW4.com today and the reference to statement "Councillors will consider plans to introduce dog control orders across the borough, following the success of a pilot scheme in Brentford.", I would like to know which part of Brentford this was piloted in as it certainly hasn't been a success in the streets around Enfield/Grove/Avenue Road, where we still dodge dog mess each and every day when walking to/from school and have to walk in the middle of the road at night as we are unable to see the mess on the pavements.  

Natasha Manganaro ● 4645d12 Comments

Anything like this depends on the resources available to enforce, with the constant cuts seems to me you can make bye laws and bring in legislation 'til the cows come home - if there's no boots on the street/park then it's all fine words and no action. The situation though is far better than it was years ago - and dog owners are more aware they should clear up - just don't leave the parcels for others though - take it home!

Vanessa Smith ● 2779d

I remember seeing these pavement markings in The Netherlands at least twenty years ago - whether it worked there or not is another thing.

Anne England ● 2779d

I thought the dog spray paint thing was just a cross local person!!!  I didnt realise it was meant to be a deterrent, and anyway it didnt work!

Emma Renton ● 2779d

The trial referred to  might be that which started in Boston Manor Park over a year ago.  The Friends of Boston Manor have supplied thousands of free poo bags and the dog owners tend to police the area themselves although a few owners walk ahead of their dogs therefore missing the little piles.  If asked, dog owners are required to put their dogs on a lead and there is a restriction on the amount of dogs that can be walked at one time.  The streets are not mentioned though.

Linda Massey ● 2780d

Unfortunately just adding bins doesn't mean that people use them the way that they should.  All too often it has been found to increase fly-tipping.Do you have any reminders on lampposts that allowing dogs to foul the pavement is illegal or is that the problem and it is now the owner/dog walker who is fouling the pavement by bagging it but not binning it?

Philippa Bond ● 2780d

Agree it's a constant challenge.  Braemar Road has its fair share of little gifts left for unwary pedestrians.  Those spray-painted dogs mentioned in the 2012 email trail above have all long-faded.  I think they may have helped a teeny bit in the past.  But what's bugging me is also people filling their dog-waste bags and then dumping those on the pavements.  Lovely.  We need more waste bins on most roads.

Catherine Jones ● 2780d

Hi There. Sorry to have to resurrect such a revolting feed but can I ask if anyone is still experiencing problems on their Roads with dog fouling? I live on Ealing Road and currently have 4 sets directly outside my house and see mess every day along Challis, Enfield Walk/Road, Junction Road. I try and report it to the council as much as I can but they sometimes don't pick it up and are obviously not issuing penalties because the problem is getting worse. I wrote to Myra Savin a few days ago (with pics, gross I know) but haven't heard back yet. Also from I have been reading it appears penalties are never issued due to technicalities. It's an awful thought to think the problem will only get worse not better! Any thoughts/knowledge would be helpful so I can go back to Myra if she responds.

Roisin Williamson ● 2781d

As the council are thinking about outsourcing parking control I wonder if they've considered adding civil enforcement to the PA's role? This would enable them to tackle dog fouling too, after all they're out and about, and there's nothing stopping the council from doing this if they wanted to.

Vanessa Smith ● 4644d

There are interesting comments on the Chiswick forum including the requirements for dog collars to have full name/address details on owners and whether this is a legal requirement etc.  Apparently this is the way that fines would be administered.  Seems incredibly far-fetched to me and I agree that this would be incredibly hard for the council or the police to enforce.All dog owners I know personally are responsible, but it only takes a few to make such a huge problem.  I have personally challenge a few such owners in the past to be either met with a barrage of abuse or being totally ignored.  I particularly remember years ago an owner walking well ahead of his very old or possibly physically impaired dog who was dragging its behind along the pavement to clean itself after leaving a especially delightful 'deposit' - which was of course dragged along with it. In this case I was stared at in amazement that I had dared to speak to him about such an apparently trivial incident and then walked hurridly away.  It is certainly not trivial when I have to ask my kids not to scoot too fast to school in case they fall in said mess.  Luckily they are a little older now and more stable on their feet (and scooters!)

Natasha Manganaro ● 4645d

Who do the council have to enforce this? People are spread very thinly as it is and if anyone seriously thinks the police will do it then they are mad. It is a big problem, but I fear only making irresponsible dog owners social pariahs will work, which would mean we'd all need to challenge people if we saw them allowing their dog to foul anywhere without clearing up. You can just imagine the arguments can't you?

Vanessa Smith ● 4645d

Oh we had the spray painted dogs a few years back - unfortunately has made no difference at all.

Natasha Manganaro ● 4645d

On the pavements of The Ham in Brentford there are paint sprayed pictures of dogs which I assume was the pilot.  However not having a dog I didn't take much notice

Debbie Richmond ● 4645d