We have received many complaints concerning dog mess around the Village and it has started to increase recently

Could all dog owners please ensure they take plastic bags with them to clear up any mess their dog makes. Bins are situated around the village for disposal.
Apart from being anti-social it is also an offence punishable by a fine.

Cotswold resident pays the price for not bagging and binning dog’s mess

Release date: 20 October

On Monday 19 October Cheltenham Magistrates Court fined Cotswold resident Stephen Gittens £375 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £37.50 – plus costs of £250 – for failing to bag up and bin the mess caused by his dog.

Mr Gittens, who lives at Old Quarry Bungalow, Nether Westcote, did not attend the hearing but the court noted that he had allowed his dog to foul in public spaces near his home on three occasions during March and April.  He received two warnings and a fixed penalty from the Council and also twice failed to attend an interview to discuss his behaviour.

Cllr Sue Coakley, Cotswold District Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Environment and Communities, welcomed the hefty fine levied on Mr Gittens:

“Owners who allow their dogs to foul in public areas and then fail to bag and bin the mess are creating a totally unnecessary health hazard.  Aside from the fact that dog mess is very dirty and smelly, it also harbours the eggs of roundworm parasites which contaminate the soil.  Contact with the affected area can cause toxocariasis in humans – especially children playing out of doors.  When toxocariasis affects the eyes it can lead to blindness.

“Environmental Wardens from CDC undertake regular patrols to educate the public about the need to pick up dog mess and dispose of it properly. However, the district comprises over 450 square miles so anything residents can do to help is always much appreciated.

“Offenders who fail to bag and bin their dog’s excrement can ruin a family day out.  Even worse, their actions can have a profoundly negative impact on the health and wellbeing of others. The message is very clear – clean up after your dog!”

For more information about this issue, including how to report dog fouling in Cotswold District, please visit  /residents/environment/environmental-health/animal-control-welfare/dog-fouling/

Dog walkers without ‘poop bags’ face fines

Dog walkers who leave home without “poop bags” could face fines of up to £100 – regardless of whether their pet fouls or not.

Daventry district council in Northamptonshire said owners should have to prove how they would clean up after their dogs to cut down on the problem of fouling.

Those who fail to pay the £100 fine under the new powers – which will be introduced on 1 December – could face a penalty of up to £1,000 if the case is taken to court.

The authority said the idea of forcing dog owners to carry plastic bags was not unreasonable and the fines under the Public Space Protection Order would not be levied until the turn of the year.

Mike Warren, the council’s health and housing official, said: “This order will give us greater powers to take effective action against the minority of dog owners who do not pick up after their pets.

“We will be advising them to make sure they have extra poop bags with them at all times to ensure they have the means to pick up, regardless of how long they’ve been out and about with their pet.

“It’s not unreasonable though, for example, to expect someone who has just arrived at a venue to walk their dog to be carrying poop bags.”

A council report said: “It was difficult to catch people who had not picked up their dog’s faeces and that was why the proposals had been made to enhance the dog control powers.”

If you see an offender and have some evidence then please report it to the Cotswold Dog Warden on 01285 623000

The Parish Council is approaching the Cotswold District Council to see if the Daventry model can be introduced .

PLEASE BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

Your children can get very ill including losing their sight