Case Study - Blackburn with Darwen

Case Study - Blackburn with Darwen – Dogs control

Dog owners prosecuted over fouling

Blackburn with Darwen Council has taken the decision to prosecute dog owners whose pets are caught fouling public areas, rather than issue fixed penalty notices. Dog wardens are now at work from early morning and they are on emergency call until midnight.

For several years there had been a problem of dogs roaming in packs, particularly on housing estates, and there was public concern about the amount of dog faeces on the pavements. A recent survey showed that 99 per cent of the people interviewed in Blackburn with Darwen were concerned about dog fouling. The public placed it second only to vandalism as their main worry.

The council designated the whole borough under the provisions of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Extensive information about dogs control is available on the council’s website, in Blackburn and Darwen town halls and in all community centres. Residents can find information on how to contact the council’s dog wardens about educational, proactive services as well as on how to report fouling or stray dogs.

Enforcing the legislation

The dog warden service patrols the borough of Blackburn with Darwen with the purpose of enforcing the legislation that prohibits dogs from roaming free and requires dog owners to remove any fouling caused by their dog immediately.

There is at least one dog warden working seven days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm. A further dog warden is employed three days a week so that additional patrols can be carried out. The dog wardens are also on call for emergency call-out until midnight every night.

Colin Clark, Principal Environmental Health Officer said:

“We have become aware that the previous hours of operation were only targeting those people who were not working during the day, e.g. those who are elderly, unemployed and long-term sick so we obtained additional funding to provide additional patrols.”

To avoid discriminating against people who don’t work in the daytime, the additional patrols now work in the early morning and late evening from April to October when there is adequate daylight. The extended working patterns control those people who, for example, are in employment and therefore walk their dogs before 8.30am and after 5.30pm.

The dog wardens also go to schools and youth groups, including Guides and Scouts, to promote responsible dog ownership. The target is 20 talks each year.

Prosecutions for fouling

At present Blackburn with Darwen Council doesn’t issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling but prefers to prosecute in the magistrates’ court. Every year there are approximately 60 prosecutions for fouling and allowing dogs to roam. The maximum penalty is a fine of £1,000.

The following reasons are behind the decision to prosecute rather than fine on the spot: it permits the magistrates to take the offender’s means into account when setting a penalty; it allows the press to identify the offender; and it demonstrates the seriousness of the offence.

“This policy of prosecuting in the magistrates’ court does take up considerable time and effort. Consideration is being given to the implementation of the powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which would allow PCSOs [Police Community Support Officers] to give fixed penalty notices for dog fouling offences”, added Colin.

Free ‘poop scoop’ bags

The council provides ‘poop-scoops’ free of charge. Between 2002 and 2006 some 80,000 bags were provided. The bags are becoming increasingly popular, illustrated by the fact that in the following year 220,000 of them were given to dog owners.

This demand is an encouraging sign that people are being responsible about their dog fouling in public places. A cheaper supplier of poop scoops has been sourced, which means the higher demand will not impose higher costs.

The new bags are leak-proof, easily tied, lemon-scented and printed with the council crest and a suitable message.
The council has erected more than 5,000 ‘No fouling’ signs. Dog wardens are also handing out badges saying ‘Proud to be a Poop Scooper’ to anyone they see cleaning up after their dog.

Picking up stray dogs

If a member of the public finds a stray dog between 8.30am and 5.30pm the dog warden will arrange to collect the dog within 30 minutes if possible. The dog warden picks up stray dogs and transports them to the contracted kennel. The council must dispose of dogs that are not claimed.

The cost to the council of euthanasia and disposal of a dog is £78. However, re-homing a dog does not imply any cost to the council but, where the dog is re-homed via a rescue society, the cost is one week’s kennelling. The council has a contract with a kennel that is cost effective and that puts emphasis on re-homing dogs.

In the past 14 months Blackburn with Darwen Council has not destroyed any healthy dogs, which has saved a considerable amount of money.

When a dog reaches the kennel it is scanned for an identity chip. An identity chip service is offered to all dog owners who have their dog seized and taken to the kennels. This service is free of charge and is paid for as part of the kennelling fee.

For more information, please contact Colin Clark on 01254 588820 or at
colin.clark@blackburn.gov.uk