Council hands out £4000 of dog fouling fines
Graham Gibson • Published 15 Apr 2011 07:58
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FIFE Council have slapped nearly £4000 of fines on dog walkers collared for not picking up their pets' poo over the last two years.
New figures show that 112 offenders have been caught since 2009 who could have faced a fine as high as £40 for breaking the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act.
Over that period seven people have cried foul and appealed their fines but only one has proved successful in getting the decision overturned.
The figures, obtained under Freedom of Information by the Press, show £3760 was raised in fines and reveal the extent of the dog littering problems across the Kingdom.
One angry West Fifer contacted the Press after being left disgusted at the scene he discovered as he walked his young daughter through the Devilla Forest near Kincardine.
Niall Reid said, "I was disgusted, downright annoyed and sad that in the first 50-100 yards of the walk I counted 22 separate deposits from various dogs.
"What angered me most was not being able to let the wee one run about in the safety of the walk but have to be two steps behind her looking out for dog dirt.
"It was our first outing to the Devilla Forest this year and it's a sad state of affairs that some irresponsible dog owners are spoiling it for everyone.
"It seems a shame that these people think it is acceptable to use this area as a dog toilet and not have the decency to at least have the dogs crap out of sight of the path."
Last year Fife Council launched a new 'Wanted' campaign, providing a phone number for members of the public to report people who did not pick up their dog's mess in public places immediately.
However, Scottish Labour candidate for the Cowdenbeath constituency at next month's elections, Helen Eadie, has expressed her concern at the news that Fife Council is to cut the number of dog wardens to just four covering the whole of Fife.
She said, "Dog fouling may seem like a minor issue to some but I know that for many of my constituents having an irresponsible dog-owner living on their street can be a blight on their lives.
"I have seen for myself how having just one person not controlling their dog properly can really bring down a whole area.
"The Scottish Parliament recently voted through tough new powers to allow local authorities to tackle these irresponsible dog owners.
"Yet these powers can only be utilised if there are enough dog wardens patrolling the streets and being aware of the problem cases.
"I know the dog wardens in Fife are working flat out to serve their communities but having only four to cover the whole of the Kingdom, especially when they have new responsibilities because of the powers I voted through, beggars belief."
Vice chairman of the council's environment, enterprise and transportation committee, Councillor Ross Vettraino, said they had to find "smarter ways of doing things" to accommodate budget reductions.
He said, "One smart move is to get the same level of service with fewer resources. Among other things, therefore, Fife Council is doing that by moving to home, mobile and flexible working.
"The new style of working is well suited to officers such as dog wardens and, as a consequence, brings benefits in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and economy.
"For example, in some areas of work, four dog wardens can achieve the same output as five, with a consequential financial saving to the community."
Fife Council was a finalist in the recent Keep Scotland Beautiful 'Best Local Environmental Quality Innovation Award' category for its 'Wanted' dog fouling campaign.
If a person witnesses someone not picking up after their dog has fouled, they are urged to call 08451 550022.
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disarab
Unregistered User
Apr 15, 12:24
Report comment -
I agree with Jan
Unregistered User
Apr 15, 13:34
Report comment"For example, in some areas of work, four dog wardens can achieve the same output as five, with a consequential financial saving to the community."
In what other "areas of work" are the dog wardens employed?
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Ba-Jazz
Unregistered User
Apr 15, 13:49
Report commentWinding up the town clock.......
What did do you think, have a wild stab in the dark!
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******
Apr 15, 13:56
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 16, 08:59
Report commentIt's all about the Council, and the four dog wardens.
Isn't Dog Fouling a crime?
and what are the figures for Fife Police in this regard?
There would be a bit of investigative journalism for you budding reporters!
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Top Cat
Unregistered User
Apr 17, 09:21
Report comment4 wardens, £4000, 2 years work = £500 each in generated income, or approx £10 a week. At a cost of £? p.a. Either deal with this properly or cut the losses.
Traffic wardens patrol and drivers are well aware of the chance of a fine if they breach parking laws. Traffic wardens know the "hotspots".
Make dog fouling an equally enforcable priority and patrol it as such and generate an income which qualifies the job in the first place.
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stevie1888
11 posts
Apr 17, 16:24
Report commenthorse fouling should be brought into line with dog fouling,they are at the moment aloud to foul on our streets and ive been told by the council that the mess that horses leave can be broken down by cars driving over it which is unaceptable in my veiw, why should we have to put up with horse mess on our estate when the horses dont even belong on this estate and why should we have to break down other peoples horses mess,the council take a blinkered veiw on horse mess and would rarther watch out for dog fouling ,they should be looked at the same way
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walkcents
Unregistered User
Apr 17, 18:33
Report commentJeez, stevie1888, shovel the horse manure on your garden, it'll do wonders for the soil, you can't do that with dog mess.
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Kat Ater
Unregistered User
Apr 18, 01:24
Report commentThe majority of dog owners do clean up, but all it needs is one or two not to do it every time, and the pile of muck soon piles up. What really annoys me is a cat can come and leave a mess in your private garden and there isn't a thing you can do about it. IMO if a farmer can legally shoot a dog that's worrying sheep on his property, why can't a house owner be allowed to shoot a cat that decides to use his garden as one big litter tray. Bearing in mind the risks of disease that can occur, especially when pregnant women are involved.
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keepoofthelawn
Unregistered User
Apr 18, 10:39
Report commentCan the dog wardens come to Duloch Park and catch all the dog owners who let their mutts poo and pee with abandon? Even the paths are covered in it - it is a hazard and makes taking the wee ones to the swings and play parks.
I must say that Pittencrieff Park is the opposite - all the dog owners that I have seen have picked up their dogs mess. Pittencrieff Park is a gem of a park and an asset to Dunfermline, Fife and Scotland. Duloch Park could be much more than it is - dead trees along Greenshank Drive, paths falling apart and covered in dog poo, vast expanses of grass (no budget for some shrubs or flowers???), no paths into the wooded area so effectively closing them off.
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Disarab
Unregistered User
Apr 18, 12:28
Report commentI agree, the glen is well kept and most visitors are responsible. I have only slid on dog pooh once in the glen in the last couple of decades. There is more danger now in sliding on untreated frosty pavements.
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Spam-Heed
Unregistered User
Apr 19, 16:47
Report commentDisarab, sliding on frosty pavements at THIS time of the year, must be cauld where you are mate.........
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 19, 20:36
Report commentInteresting how emotive the dog fouling problem is!
and what nonsense it brings from well meaning people on discussion forums.
It is a fact, that Duloch Park is the area in Fife where around 75% of the total fixed penalties in Fife were issued by Dog Wardens. I would say that is receiving attention.
It is a fact that a teenager walking his (very expensive) dog in Duloch Park was given a fixed penalty when he failed to pick up. His Daddy, who lives in a big expensive house in Duloch Park argued that his poor wee lamb was bullied by the big bad Dog Wardens, and the ticket was never paid.
and regarding that nonsense about £500 value from Top Cat... Who picks up stray dogs? (About 400 last year) Who takes them to kennels or vets as required? Who picks up dangerous dogs and injured dogs from road accidents? Who deals with complaints from the public regarding noisy, or dangerous dogs? Who puts out all the signs regarding fouling? Reviews, and tries to arrange Dog Bins? Attend schools and provide presentations for your children? Oh yes, that'll be the Dog Warden too! and given that between Kincardine and Kirkcaldy there are only two, I'd say you are getting a pretty good deal really!
I do agree that Duloch needs development, but if the amount of fouling there today, where I saw loads of families out enjoying the sun, and kids running around, and lots of dog owners out with their animals, really constitutes the paths being covered, then the art of exaggeration has not been lost on some! (keepoffthelawn)
and I repeat my point - we all go to these community meetings with our local Community Police Officers, and there are over 500 Police in the area covered by 2 Dog Wardens. What have the Police done?
Or is the fact that this hasn't been answered answer in itself?
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Sly Faulkes
Unregistered User
Apr 20, 13:12
Report commentDinoSaur...Don't you realise that these 500 Police People have more serious things to do....Have you given a thot to the level of anti social behaviour in Aberdour on a Tuesday morning. OR the chilling levels of violence in Rosyth on a Wednesday afternoon .
I thot not...So we have some 500 Police People,generally under employed or off duty,capturing or detering x criminals y days per z day week at a cost of £Jackpot per annum. And, you're no great fan of the Police Peole are you ?
Well,think of this. They have to retire on a huge pension;which you're going to pay for,at the age 50
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 20, 17:29
Report commentSly Faulkes is not so sly!
x y and z are letters, not figures - do you have figures?
How many officers off duty actually captured a criminal last year for example?
and what does 'under employed' actually mean?
and if you phone up to report any minor crime or offence, and are met with the argument - 'Police People have more serious things to do' I am sure you would be impressed!
Have I considered the levels of violence etc etc, ?
am I no great fan of Police people?
Well, consider how much I enjoy your last paragraph!!
and enjoy my Police pension which you (partly) paid for!
Ha Ha Ha
You are a S(il)ly old Faulkes!
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Top Cat
Unregistered User
Apr 20, 19:32
Report commentDinosaur, I beg to differ on some of your points regarding the remit of the dog warden. Where I live the dog wardens have failed to display pick up your dog poo signs for so long that the school children have designed posters and they are cable tied along the path in the village where "visitors" walk their dogs and leave the mess behind. The poo bag dispensers have been erected along same path by members of our community council, another job not completed by the dog warden. The refill bags are held in the community centre and school and the dispensers are refilled by villagers.
I have found a "lost" dog three times in the village and know of more that have been found by others. Each and every time without fail we have had to take the dog into the police station in Dunfermline as dog wardens would not come out to collect. The alternative? Leave the dog wandering the streets. I have two children at the upper end of primary school, and one who has now left for high school. In the nine years that I have had children at our school, not once have they had a visit from the dog warden.
Noise pollution from dogs is dealt with by environmental services not the dog warden.
Either someone is not doing their job around here or you have your facts wrong
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 20, 20:46
Report commentTC, will you never learn?
Dog Wardens don't display dog poo signs, they put them out, usually at the request from a member of the public... If there is a lack of signs in 'the village' then really, someone should request them, and if, as you suggest, there are none, they shall be put out!
The cable tied posters you refer to, are useful, and the children's involvement is commendable. In fact as we joust here, a poster designed by a schoolchild from one of the recent school talks by our Dog Warden is being run off by a printer on a series of official signs to be erected in that area by the local Dog Warden. If your village decide to go their own way, without the assistance that is being taken up elsewhere, then that is their right!
So, the dog poo is being left by 'visitors' and not locals? How do you know this?
Poo bag dispensers erected? Well, I have seen similar dispensers in Culross recently. There is an area badly affected by dog fouling, and co-incidentally, well visited by the visitors you accuse. Of-course Culross cannot be the 'village' you speak of. I say this as there are numerous signs displayed the length of the village, along the Coastal Path, and indeed as far up the village as the top of the hill near the Church. The dispensers there were put out after discussion with the Dog Warden, who sadly could not assist with supply of bags, as Fife Council no longer supply them! Oh, yes, and I've only seen the dispensers empty!
A local, claiming to be a resident told me recently that she knew who was responsible for the fouling, which would suggest it's not a visitor! but that she wouldn't tell!
Also, amongst others, the Primary School at Culross was among many e.mailed by the Dog Warden offering school talks, and offer not taken up by Culross! But then we are not talking about Culross, are we?
Dog Wardens REFUSING to collect dogs, whatever next? Dog Wardens work Monday to Friday, 9-5, and will collect dogs within that period! If your three, or more, lost dogs were within that period, I suggest you report the matter to Fife Council, as you are correct - someone is not doing their job! If it was outwith that period, well then, petition the Council to employ more wardens!
Dog Wardens are working in the department called Environmental Services! DOH! and only after initial observations by them will further action be taken! by their workmates in Environmental Services!!!
Now did I cover everything? or am I still telling lies?
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Top cat
Unregistered User
Apr 20, 23:48
Report commentHas a nerve been touched here? Who accused anyone of telling lies? In answer to your question, no you haven't covered everything. Plenty of jokes tho. Poobag dispensers erected but no poobags supplied, hilarious.
Quote "Who picks up stray dogs? (About 400 last year) Who takes them to kennels or vets as required?" unquote. But only between the hours of 9 to 5 eh? Useful. Do stray dogs not exist out-of-hours? So dog wardens don't deal with then for two thirds of the day then? And God forbid if the dog wanders off at the weekend, and probably a Bank Holiday too.
Quote "Dog wardens don't display dog poo signs, they put them out..." unquote. Well, they either do or they don't, make your tiny mind up.
I did not imply in the first place that dog wardens are not fully utilised, I stated that the current use of dog wardens is not cost effective in dealing with the dog poo issue and that if the status of the issue was raised and if the number dog wardens increased to a realistic amount then the job may well be tackled better.
But your overblown responses only highlight that the dog poo issue will only ever generate such a small amount of revenue as so little manhours are spent dealing with it, or priority given to it.
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 21, 08:01
Report commentGood Morning TC,
Firstly, I accept, a complete exaggeration on my part - 'or you have your facts wrong' for 'telling lies'
So, Do I have my facts wrong?
and I completely agree - if we require a service, outwith 9-5, Monday to Friday, then the Council require more Dog Wardens. Certainly more then 4 for the whole of Fife! If your three or more dogs were indeed outwith those hours, it's not that 'the dog wardens would not come out to collect' them - they simply were not there... That is not the fault of the Dog Wardens.. Kind of like complaining about going to your newsagent at 0100 and not being able to buy a newspaper because the shop is shut!
tiny mind ? Hmmmm, I'll let you run with that one, it's going nowhere!
Again, I support the increase of Wardens, to enable them to deal more effectively with all their tasks, not only fouling, but don't try and make a point by berating the few that are there just now. Alleging that the Warden has failed to put out signs and left it to local schoolchildren, or in some way is failing because the Community Council have put out bag dispensers is not really factual or constructive!
'In answer to you question, no you haven't covered everything' I'm sorry, what did I not cover?
Nothing to say on the signs, or school talks issue? Which was a large part of your original input.
Also, if there are so many stray dogs running about your village, that would perhaps point to where the fouling issue emanates! (Now that is a joke!) Or are they the 'visitors' you referred to? Clever strays though, they only come out outwith Dog Warden hours, oh, and public holidays apparently..
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 21, 13:21
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Top Cat
Unregistered User
Apr 21, 19:31
Report commentYou are clearly Superintendent Deputy Dawg Warden, and I applaud your loyalty to dog pooh collection and prevention. All I was trying to say is, raise the profile and make the positions cost effective in terms of legislation and enforce the law so that the deed can be penalised easily and effectively.
I still beg to differ on some of your points in my community, but bow to your superior knowledge on the matter.
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 22, 08:23
Report commentI was enjoying the banter too!
Lets call it a technical draw!
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stevie1888
11 posts
Apr 30, 00:55
Report commentthe council should do something about the horse muck all round porterfeild,let alone the dog mess,ive been told by the council its not against the law for a horse to mess on the road as cars will run over it and break it down,what a load of rubbish that is, why should i and everyone else up on porterfeild have to run their cars over this mess and leave our cars stinking, these people dont even live up on this estate but use it for thier horses walks ,and whilst im on the subject ,the horses are ruining the football park with dam great holes everywhere and even more mess. the council needs to get off their back sides and doo doo something about it
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Smarmy Git
Unregistered User
May 7, 22:32
Report commentStevie, scoop up the horse mess and put it on yer roses, you canny dee that wi dog mess!
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stevie1888
11 posts
Jul 18, 16:24
Report commentsmarmy i dont have roses in my garden they are lazy mans flowers,anyway the mess that these horses deposit looks as if it would kill anything that grows,god only nows what they are feeding these sad animals on
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kmcb
Unregistered User
Jul 26, 09:26
Report commentWhat about CATS??
I'm sick & tired of coming home to cat poo in my garden. I have found the culprite & confronted the owner regarding the problem. Verry offensive reaction!! Cats have roaming rights?? Don't think so?!
I think you need to enforce this on cat owners too! If I were to let my dog poo in someone elses garden I would be fined! Cat owners need to be dealt with, if you can't train your pet properly, don't have one!
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