Wrexham Council ‘won’t hesitate to issue fines’ on dog fouling

Wrexham Council is once again reminding people to clean up after their dogs.

Failing to do so carries a fine and could cost those caught in the act a minimum of £100 or even prosecution.

As well as carrying harmful bugs, which can lead to infection, asthma and even blindness, all sorts of worm and bacteria can live in soil long after the dog mess has decomposed.

There are Dog Control Orders in place in Wrexham County Borough, to manage the handling and behaviour of dogs.

The orders cover dog fouling, and excludes dogs from children’s play areas, marked sports pitches and bowling greens.

Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for the Environment, said, “Across the county borough there are many responsible dog owners who care not only for their dogs but for their surroundings and others enjoying it.

“We do get reports of dogs fouling and wherever possible we try to identify those responsible and don’t hesitate to issue fines.”

The council also remind residents it also an offence not to carry a bag for your use after your dog has fouled.

Despite the warning Cllr Hugh Jones has historically said enforcement is problematic as it was difficult to catch owners “in the act”, as figures this time last year revealed just nine tickets in three years had been handed out for dog fouling.

“The order is there as a prevention and therefore the success of the order is not necessarily judged by the number of tickets issued”, he said.

Last year he noted, “Over the previous three years of the current order we issued 29 tickets, 20 of those related to dogs being in an inappropriate place, nine were issued for dog fouling.

“Owners are unlikely to allow their dogs to foul when they see somebody wearing a uniform or someone who looks official.”

Shortly after Wrexham Council detailed how one dog owner had been fined nearly £1,500 for dog fouling offences.