HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON DOG FOULING HEARD BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SOON

The Birmingham City Council is asking residents views as it draws up new laws on tackling dog mess health hazards in Birmingham.

This will be a chance for residents like those in Oscott to have their say on the subject and Council Chiefs are at last looking to bring in new laws on the subject.(and about time too)

There may be new rules on ensuring the use of pooper scoopers and there will be larger fines.for those dog owners who fail to pick up their dogs mess.

A responsible dog walker cleans up dog mess and new proposals will not effect them as they are aimed at the minority of dog owners who flout the rules and I would hope their interests are also taken into account and I have raised a number of issues regarding this subject with the powers that be.

The proposed orders, which have received committee approval, would mean even small dogs need a lead on the street if the Council chiefs get their way.

Offences under these orders will be dealt with by fixed penalty notices of £80.

Failure to pay would result in prosecution.

The council is carrying out a full public consultation on the Dog Control Orders that would be brought in under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005.

People have until Friday to submit their views.

The problem of dog fouling and stray dogs within Birmingham including Oscott is high profile and leads to over 4,000 complaints each year from members of the public including elected members. Under the orders, dogs would be banned from children’s play areas and schools in the city under the new proposals.

Owners would have to face fines for failing to clean up after their dog on any land that can be accessed by the public.

The order would also make it an offence for pets to be off their lead on all public roads, adjoining foot ways and grass verges. We need to keep our pavements free of dog mess.

New orders would limit the number of dogs you can take on to open land at any time to four. It would also make it an offence for anyone in charge of a dog not to put it on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer on any land that is open-air and open to public access.

People can send their views to: Head of Environmental, Development & Planning Team, Legal and Democratic Services, Legal Services, PO Box 15992, Birmingham, B2 2UQ and quoting reference LS/PKU/126171.

Alternatively, send opinions by email to Rahema.Begum@Birmingham.gov.uk

From around the web  BUT PLEASE SEND IN YOUR VIEWS QUICKLY.