Large increase in dog fouling and litter fines

THE number of dog fouling fines issued in Carmarthenshire has increased five-fold compared to the same period last year.

A total of 103 fixed penalty notices have been handed out by environmental enforcement officers between April and November compared to just 18 the previous year.

The number of fines for littering and other similar offences has also seen a big rise during this period – quadrupling from 56 to 203.

The increase is down to the new council administration following May’s elections which pledged to get tough on dog fouling and litter.

Cllr Jim Jones has been appointed as the new Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection.

The role is largely focused on enforcement from dog fouling and litter to trading standards and planning issues.

Cllr Jones said: “We are determined to clean up the county and will not hesitate to fine people

who litter our streets or allow their dogs to foul and don’t clean up.

“Dog fouling in particular is one of the most common causes of complaint we get, so we are responding to public concerns.

“We don’t want to fine people, but if they fail to take notice of our warnings then we have no choice.”

Since taking up his position on the Executive Board, Cllr Jones has been very proactive. He has written to town and community councils asking for problem areas so they can be targeted and he’s been out on patrol with the enforcement officers.

“It was a real eye-opener to go out on patrol,” said Cllr Jones. “The officers have to cover the whole county but they know where the ‘hotspots’ are and target those areas accordingly. It is all about being in the right place at the right time and that can be very difficult, which is why we need the help of the public to catch those responsible.”

Cllr Jones has launched the ‘Dog Watch’ scheme and is urging residents to help catch those responsible for dog fouling by reporting incidents to the council.

The council has also teamed up with McDonald’s for a fast food litter campaign and officers together with Cllr Jones visited restaurants in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Cross Hands.

“We all have a responsibility to dispose of our rubbish carefully and those that don’t risk getting fined,” he added.

A fixed penalty notice is £75, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. Failure to pay could result in court prosecution and a much larger fine.

To report dog fouling please call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567 or complete the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/dogfouling