Sheffield council to vote on fines for dog owners without poo bags

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 06:21 · Archive

Sheffield City Council will consider plans to fine dog owners who fail to carry poo bags.

Sheffield City Council will consider plans for a 'dogs in public spaces protection order', which would allow enforcement officers to take action against owners who fail to clear up after their dogs or let them off the lead near playgrounds and primary schools.

Labour councillor Mark Rusling said dog mess on pavements was an 'everyday annoyance' that could make people feel unable to use them without constantly watching where they step. He said the motion would not propose 'an army of operatives' around the city 'interrogating every dog owner' but instead would ensure everybody was behaving in the same way.

Rusling said he had heard anecdotally that schemes elsewhere had been successful. 'Ultimately, it's the dog owner's responsibility to clear up their dog's mess. It's not our council workers, Amey workers, or members of the public,' he said. If approved, part of the plan would involve evidence gathering of what worked well and what did not in other places.

Some dog owners walking in Sheffield city centre and near Norfolk Park expressed support for the proposal, saying it would keep streets cleaner.

How it is being reported

• Dog owners without poo bags could face finesCouncillors are due to vote on a motion to introduce fines for dog owners who do not carry poo bags.BBC South Yorkshire · 4 Nov, 06:09
• Motion proposed to fine Sheffield dog owners who don't carry poo bags"A small group of people seem to want to almost own the streets with their dogs”Sheffield Star · 3 Nov, 13:10

In this story: Sheffield City Council · Mark Rusling · Sheffield

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