DOGS (FOULING OF LAND) ACT 1996

Grayshott has again become the target of irresponsible dog owners this winter; East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) have received complaints about Lyndon Green play area and routes near the school. Dave Griffiths and Liz Mould do carry out patrols in the area but it is difficult to catch offenders.

“Most owners clean up after their dogs these days,” explains Dave, “it is only a small percentage who are irresponsible so, with only 2 Dog Wardens, being in the right place at the right time is a ‘needle in a haystack’ scenario. That’s why we need the help of members of the public”.

How you can help

Offenders need  to be identified. Should you witness an owner failing to clean up after their dog in an area to which the general public have access and you know their address, please report the incident to Dave and Liz. The owner will receive a warning letter from EHDC and information about the law, the source of the complaint will not be revealed.

Should the same person reoffend EHDC would consider prosecution but, on this occasion, all witnesses would need to submit a statement and their identities would be revealed. You would need to state that you saw the dog defecate on public land, give a description of the dog and the person walking the dog, know where that person lives, give the exact time and date that the offence occurred and be prepared to attend court if necessary.

A dog may be loose without an owner or keeper present, fouling is still an offence provided that the owner can be traced.

The law

The Act was introduced to East Hampshire in 1997 and is much easier to understand than the cumbersome and piecemeal byelaw system that was previously in place.

It applies to all areas to which the general public have access with the exception of  agricultural land, commercial woodland, marshland, moors, heath, rural common land and carriageways with a speed limit over 40mph. Privately owned land is included if the owner wants the Act in place and if the general public have access to the land; private gardens and drives are not included.

Offenders caught by the Dog Wardens are issued with a fixed penalty fine for £50, failure to pay the fine may lead to prosecution with a maximum penalty of £1000.

Guide dog owners are exempt from the law.

Contact

Please don’t hesitate to call if you require any more information about the legislation.

You can reach Liz Mould/Dave Griffiths on 01730 234318/234319 during office hours, or Email dave_griffiths@easthants.gov.uk