Dog fouling warning at hospital grounds

Dog fouling warning at hospital grounds

PEOPLE walking their dogs in the grounds of Glangwili or Prince Philip Hospitals are being reminded to clean up after their pets.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has contacted the council’s environmental enforcement section for advice after receiving reports of dog mess in hospital grounds.

They are appealing to dog owners to please clean up – but if they don’t then they risk being fined.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which came into force in Carmarthenshire last year has given council officers greater flexibility in tackling incidents involving dogs.

This means that anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog on any public land in the county – not just land owned by the council – can now be fined.

Environmental enforcement officers will be stepping up patrols and anyone caught dog fouling can be fined £100, or a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted in court.

Rob Elliott, Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Management at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “Sadly, dog fouling has become a very serious issue and we welcome the increase in patrols by environmental enforcement officers on our hospital sites.

“On behalf of our patients, staff and visitors I would appeal to anyone walking their dog to avoid going on to hospital land or at the very least clean up after their dog.”

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dog fouling is one of the most common complaints to the council and dog mess left anywhere can carry a significant health risk, even more so at hospitals.

“I have seen it for myself outside Prince Philip Hospital and we are working with Hywel Dda to try and deter this type of anti-social behaviour which could have serious consequences within a hospital environment.

“We are appealing to dog owners to behave responsibly and clean up after their pets, but if they don’t, then under the PSPO, they can now be fined.”