VOTE: Tighter controls for dog owners planned for Worthing
DOG-owners who do not clean up after their pets could face immediate fines under proposals for new dog control laws.
Worthing Borough Council could replace current by-laws with Dog Control Orders by the end of the year, with offenders facing a fine of up to 1,000 or an immediate penalty if they are caught.
The orders will make it an offence to:
Fail to remove dog faeces from land open to the public.
Permit a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.
Not keep a dog on a lead in a prescribed area or when directed to do so by an authorised officer.
Take more than a specific number of dogs onto public land.
The penalty for committing an offence will be a fine up to a maximum of 1,000, although the opportunity to pay a fixed penalty may be offered in place of prosecution.
Public consultation
The council will soon begin a public consultation on the scheme.
Cabinet member for clean and green environment, Clive Roberts, said: "Although the majority of dog owners clean up after their pets and use the waste bins provided by the council, there is still a persistent anti-social minority who do not.
"There is absolutely no excuse for this totally selfish behaviour and our dog warden will adopt a 'zero tolerance' approach with offenders."
People can report incidents of dog fouling by calling 01903 221064.
Have your say
Do you think Dog Control Orders would resolve problems with "anti-social" dog owners?
Vote yes or no to the right of the screen.
What do you think?
What should be done to encourage more dog owners to clean up after their pets?
How difficult is it to find a dog mess bin?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
A full name and address is required for publication.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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